Sandman's Castle sees Ho draw a multitude of sounds from a single tam-tam, most notably by having the player use an array of objects to strike or rub against the instrument. The dark timbre of the tam-tam disguises the playfulness at the heart of this enjoyable work, as the entire surface of the tam-tam is explored in an intriguing seven-minute journey. Ho allows time for the rich resonance of the tam-tam to be savoured in Sandman's Castle, through his often spacious and gestural writing. Elsewhere, animal-like scratchings intensify to produce dense rolls that display the deep power of the instrument.
Sandman's Castle was written for Dame Evelyn Glennie as part of the "50 for 50" project to celebrate her 50th birthday. Fifty composers wrote 50 measures of music for a solo percussion instrument. For this project, the tam-tam was my instrument of choice. For years I had been quite drawn to its sonic beauty and its many expressive possibilities. In addition to this, writing for such an instrument would allow me to explore uncharted territories and open up new directions in my creative thinking.
To ensure that the work would be tailored to Ms. Glennie's talents – something I always think about when composing for a performer of her caliber - I asked her to film herself improvising on the tam-tam, using as many different mallets, sticks, and other items, as she could think of. This helped to open my eyes and ears to the variety of sounds she was able to draw out of the tam-tam. Watching her interact with the tam-tam was truly mesmerizing, like witnessing a shaman drawing up otherworldly sounds from a primordial realm. I was inspired by the many techniques Ms. Glennie used in her improvisation, as well as the sound colours she created. It did not take long for me to draft up a musical narrative based on her natural gestures and imaginative soundscapes. Personally, I view this work as a magical journey into the world of dreams, ruled by the mystic Sandman, with Ms. Glennie as our guide.
