Program Note:

​​

Touching the Sun marks my first collaboration with a choreographer, and together with Aaron Choate, we sought to explore something beautiful about humanity through music and dance. This journey led us to the ancient Chinese myth of Kua Fu, a man who chased the Sun in his pursuit of light.

            In the story, Kua Fu lives in perpetual darkness, never having seen the light. One day, he glimpses the Sun for the first time when a giant bird parts the clouds, revealing the radiance beyond. That moment awakens a desire within him, and Kua Fu begins his relentless pursuit. He chases the Sun for nine days, without rest, food, or water, until he finally touches it—only to see the Sun set as he succumbs to dehydration. Kua Fu's body transforms into mountains, rivers, and forests, becoming one with nature.

          As a child, I saw Kua Fu’s journey as tragic. But revisiting the myth as an adult, I found it imbued with a sense of beauty. The idea that the act of chasing, regardless of the outcome, holds its own significance resonated with me. The pursuit itself becomes an indelible part of the human experience, a memory that transcends the destination.

          In Touching the Sun, I aim to capture the intensity, beauty, and ultimate transformation that comes with pursuing something deeply meaningful. Through the intertwining of strings and movement, the piece reflects the emotional landscape of Kua Fu’s journey, evoking both the struggle and the sublime nature of striving for what we desire most in life.

​

​

Duration: 8 minutes

 

Recording: Juilliard choreo/Comp Video Recording

• Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6VrLIBCHjU

​​

Score and Parts: Available for rental or purchase directly from the composer.

Performance History: World Premiere: Juilliard choreo/Comp 2020; Choreography by Aaron Choate