Duration: 12 minutes
      Reading and Recording:                                                                                        
                  Mar 6, 2002       Eastman Philharmonia (Rochester, NY)
                                      David Gilbert, conductor
      Performances:                                                                                        
                  Feb 6, 2003       OSSIA (Rochester, NY)
                                             Phillip Palmer, conductor

                        

        Program note:   

“Sailing to the Horizon” was completed in November 2001, and was revised in 2002. Inspiring the creation of this piece was the devastating earthquake in Taiwan on September 21, 1999. While composing this piece, New York City was under attack. The event of September 11 was also a motivation for the creation of this piece.

Regardless of the time that passes by, the feeling of hopelessness and fear does not recede. Contrasting to these tragedies’ unpredictability and the damage that they cause, human beings are so weak and vulnerable. Tragedies come so abruptly and cause so much destruction. People react to these events with screams and grief (mm. 36-85) from their hearts. These tragedies awake us to the fragility and preciousness of the beauty of human life (mm. 86-123). People are encouraged to live for the search of happiness and serenity, but while keeping in mind the cruelty of reality (mm. 124-165). Believe what we believe. Our faith will lead us to the peaceful horizon (mm. 166 to the end).

I wish world peace and prayers to those whom we lose in tragedies.