Light 4 draws its inspiration from the Malaysian Indonesian folklore about Orang Bunian – supernatural elves-like beings said to be invisible to most humans, who inhabit the deep forests or high mountains in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra & Borneo. The music in Light 4 also conjures up association with light and its characteristics.
The subtle change in spectral sound texture and timbre, the extremely slow movement and lighting direction create a different sense and feeling of time.
Light 4 is commissioned by the 6th Soundbridge Festival for Contemporary Music, Malaysia, and sponsored by SKE Fonds Austria and Ministry of Culture BMKÖES Austria.
Light 4 – for vibraphone, sheng (mouth organ), dizi (Chinese flute), piano, tape and choreographed movement
Composer: Cao Thanh Lan
Premiere performance: November 11th, 2023 (Saturday), 4 p.m
at the 6th Soundbridge Festival for contemporary music 2023 (Biennale)
Performers: Sound Bridge Festival Ensemble
Sheng – Leong Ching Chiang
Dizi – Tan Jie
Vibraphone – Aris Huzaimi
Piano – Tham Horng Kent
Costumes designed and made by Cao Thanh Lan
Cao Thanh Lan 