HAN
for percussion trio: 3 tomtoms, 15 tuned pipes, 3 resonant metals & 3 water chimes
completed 2016
12 minutes
inquire directly about purchase of score and parts
$25.00 US, score and parts
HAN full score: page 1
Program Note
HAN is a tribute to a righteous and exuberant spirit. The piece starts with a section referencing traditional Korean drumming, which creates a propulsive energy that is both lively and celebratory (and quotes the Black Eyed Peas’s 2009 hit “Boom Boom Pow”). Tuned pipes and water chimes appear in moments of stillness and contemplation, serving as a contrast to the lively and energetic tomtoms. The interaction of these sound worlds shapes the structure of the piece.
The sudden loss of Catherine “Cathy” Han Montoya was a crushing blow for all who knew her. She was a courageous advocate for the powerless who impacted the lives of everyone she met. The piece draws on her half-Korean heritage and participation in a Korean drumming group. In HAN, I sought to capture the essence of her spirit and celebrate her life in a way that would do justice to her memory. I hope that the piece will be a source of comfort and inspiration to those who listen to it, and that it will help to preserve her memory and the positive impact she had on the lives of so many people.
-Stephen Cabell