Written for Aasta Levene and Grace Lin and inspired by the possibilities available within a minimalist context, Ho's Reflections in the Water showcases the pianist's range of colour, sensitivity, and imagination. Swelling textures and enveloping scales are predominantly featured, not only serving to express colour changes but also function as tactile ideas that develop and unfold, the gestural nature of these materials contributing to work's physical eloquence.
Reflections in the Water was written as a test piece for the 2000 Markham Music Festival. It was composed specifically to showcase the pianist's range of color, sensitivity, and imagination. "Swelling" textures and enveloping scales are predominantly featured throughout the work. They not only serve to express color changes but also function as tactile ideas that develop and unfold. Thus, the gestural nature of these materials contributes to music's physical eloquence. Consequently, any interpretation of this piece will differ with each performer. One of the main inspirations of the work was the concept of musical minimalism. Though I was not interested in the hypnotic (and sometimes emotionally sterile) qualities of minimalism, I was eager to discover what expressive qualities could be drawn from it.
