Tjan Yi Xuan - movements of the mind (2025)

"movements of the mind" is an exploration of three states of mind that might occur during free time. Start 0:00 i - searching 0:03 ii - dreaming 1:34 iii - brainrot 3:53 "searching" alludes to deep introspection and a search for meaning. I evoked the solitude and solemnity by sustaining the pedal down throughout, using unstable chords, false resolutions (low F to B-flat interrupted by B natural in the bass notes), and an extremely slow tempo, allowing the sonorities to blend. The deep chords alternate with sparkly flourishes in the right hand, made up of notes that complete a twelve note chord (minus the pitch classes used in the deep chords). "dreaming" could be looking forward to the future and imagining beautiful possibilities. I used extended tertian harmony and movement by thirds, as well as an ambiguous metrical approach to create a unique harmonic world, with only two instances of movement by fourths. "brainrot" is a situation where one engages in 'doomscrolling' and conceives nonsensical thoughts. This movement is modelled around a concert march, but instead of using tonal harmony, I used inversions of extended tertian chords and chromatically harmonised penatonic scales to create a comical and almost sarcastic effect. Live Performance from Sounding Now Concert (2025 Chamber Music Week) Jonathan Shin, piano Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall #classicalmusic #composer