Speaking Without Words (2004)

for String Orchestra

While planning to write a lyrical piece for string orchestra, I could not help but think of Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Op.11. The beautiful melodic line, made up with three-note motif always surrounded with my head. I decided to borrow Barber’s idea of three-note motif, but in chromatic scale, in many levels throughout this composition. The form of this piece is divided by many different instrumentations for strings – string orchestra, string quartet, concerto, duo, and the piece ends with a solo. The title Speaking Without Words does not imply any conceptual idea. I want the music to speak alone.