Clouds in An Empty Sky. Mei Han 韩梅, Raine-Reusch 雨苇 and the VICO Tentet.

Written and performed by Mei Han 韩梅 on zheng, and Raine-Reusch 雨苇 on sho. This is a Taoist and Zen inspired work exploring silence within sound, stillness within motion, and emptiness within existence. Both Mei Han and Raine-Reusch improvised this work, while the orchestra were reading parts arranged by Moshe Denburg. This was performed with the VICO Tentet at Rekindle the Fire, Dec 20, 2023, cosponsored by the Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra (VICO) and the Red Chamber Cultural Society at the Annex Theatre in Vancouver, Canada. VICO honoured Han and Raine-Reusch by dedicating a full concert to their music. All the works presented were either fully or partially improvised by the featured soloists. VICO commissioned two new works: Reflections On Light and Life by John Oliver, and Wrath of Selene by Lisa Cay Miller. Wrath of Selene called for improvisation by the full ensemble based on a graphic score and conduction by Miller. Orchestral arrangements of three of Han and Raine-Reusch's works were presented: Clouds in an Empty Sky arranged by Moshe Denburg; Dragon Dog arranged by Mark Armanini; and Tokyo Crows arranged by Farshid Samandari and Han, orchestrated by Samandari. Four of Raine-Reusch's graphic scores were also performed. Video by Rick Etkin DP, camera and editing by Inder Nirwan, camera by Rich Tran. Sound by Sheldon Zaharko @VICOrchestra    / vicovideo1   VICO performers: Paul Hung: flute/alto flute, Mike Brown: clarinet in B-flat/bass clarinet, Jun Rong: erhu, Sina Ettehad: kamanche, Sarah Kwok: viola, Finn Manniche: cello, Michael Vaughn: double bass, Jonathan Bernard: percussion.