Interrelation (1998)

"The special feature about this duo piece is that the relationship between the two instruments is not one of closeness but one of spaciousness that is created by the different distances taken by the two instruments. The two instruments are having a loose-jointed relation, which is dissolved occasionally, when there individuality is shown. In addition, time progresses in different ways, not only horizontally but rising in a spiral shape, staggering, multiplying and making playful excursions. I hope that this piece which structures today's relationships, even in its shortness, can open up possibilities in the field of chamber music." - T. Ichiyanagi

It is clear that Cage-inspired indeterminacy and anti-rationality to which Ichiyanagi was exposed, offered him a breakthrough with innovative experiments where he found his musical language as an avant-gardist in the late 1950s, a style that attracted him until the early 1970s.Ê However, one should address the importance of Ichiyanagi's stylistic modification in his post avant-garde period where his compositions reflect a more conventional musical idiom and rediscover his affinity for Japanese heritage.Ê Establishing Ichiyanagi's unique fusion of the best of Western and Eastern music, the concept of "Space and Time" became a source for generating his coherent musical characteristics that illustrate free unmeasured notation, systematic scale formation, flexible rhythm, non-developmental melodic elements, and inconsistent formal structure.

One of the latest duo works for violin and piano, Interrelation (1998) is a single movement work in which Ichiyanagi's post avant-garde idiom can be clearly demonstrated.Ê This lecture will examine Ichiyanagi's stylistic evolution from experimental to traditional musical language, and a brief introduction to his other violin and duo works:ÊScenes I to V (1979-82), Intercross (1993), and Time Appearing as Fragrance (2001).

Through a short analysis of Interrelation, the author will provide examples of Ichiyanagi's new voice:Ê1) clear textural distinction:Êprogression of distinctively contrasting materials dictates the formal structure, 2) saturating chromatic idiom:Êunderlines the process of conceptualization of his Japanese heritage.

Following the conclusion that will describe Ichiyanagi's achievements by taking full account of his synthesis of concrete Eastern and Western musical materials, a performance of Interrelation will be presented by the author and violinist Olivier Fluchaire.

Korean born Pianist, Yoojin Oh gave her debut concert at the age of 16 with the Seoul Philharmonic, performing the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2. Now living in New York City, she has performed many recitals and chamber music concerts at Carnegie Recital Hall, City University of New York, Manhattan School of Music and Merkin Hall as well as abroad in Spain, Scotland, England, Korea and France. Ms. Oh has given lectures/recitals at universities such as Seoul National University and Suwon University in Korea and in New York at the Brooklyn Conservatory (college division). She has judged the concerto competition at Rutgers University and Manhattan School of Music preparatory division. Ms. Oh is a founding member of Soundclock, a contemporary ensemble specializing in new and innovative music. As an active contemporary music performer, she has premiered composers such as Toshi Ichiyanagi, Elias Tanenbaum, Richard Sussman, Jerica Oblak, Sung Eun Cho and Eun-Kyung Kim. Ms. Oh graduated with her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree as well as Master of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Her dissertation focusses on the piano and violin music of Japanese composer, Toshi Ichiyanagi examining both analytical and historical perspectives of his music. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Seoul National University.

French born violinist, Olivier Fluchaire has toured throughout Europe, Asia and the United States as soloist with orchestra, chamber musician and recitalist. Now living in New York City, Mr. Fluchaire has performed alongside Yehudi Menuhin, Martin Canin, Michael Tree, Lawrence Dutton, Nina Beilina and David Geber. Mr Fluchaire has won first prize at the UFAM International Violin Competition, the 28th Annual Artists International Competition, first prize at the Royaume de la Musique Competition and first prize at the Grenoble Conservatory. Solo concerts tours took him to Korea, England, Belgium, France, Lithuania, Austria, Poland and the United State. Mr Fluchaire also performs regularly in some of New York's most prestigious orchestras including, The New York Chamber Symphony, The Mostly Mozart Orchestra, The Naunberg Orchestra and The New York Pops. His chamber music recordings are available on Vox, Newport Classics and Koch labels. Harris Goldsmith (New York Times music critic) reviewed his recent debut at Carnegie1s Weill Hall as: "beautiful and expressively played [....] delivered with a gleaming tone quality and thoroughbred intonation." Mr. Fluchaire is currently on the violin/viola/chamber music faculty at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York.