Programme note:

Inspired by Ezra Pound’s three-line poem of the same name and scored for piano trio, 'Ts'ai Chi'h is structured in adaptable form. Two contrasting opening sections are provided, from which the performers must choose one, followed by a fixed middle section and a choice of two different ending sections, again selected by the performers. Each line of the poem is represented individually in the three main sections of the piece, regardless of the decisions made, however the available material allows for the work to exist in four possible versions.

© Stephen Barchan