The piece Splattering takes its inspiration from splatter art where droplets of paint are flicked and thrown at an empty canvas. To evoke this effect via a string quartet, I have chosen to use solely pizzicato for this miniature piece. The work begins with a series of descending major chords played in unison and as the piece progresses, the individual players begin to play in rhythmic counterpoint to the original rhythm until a sense of chaos is reached. The piece is a joyfilled and playful reflection on the creation of art.
Composer: Roydon Tse
Dr. Roydon Tse (b.1991) is an award-winning composer, pianist, and educator based in Toronto. Passionate about communicating to audiences from all backgrounds, his works are influenced by a range of topics, from the fusion of Eastern and Western traditions, the global climate crisis, to psychology, places of being, and loss.
His works have been performed by the Brussels, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Brno Philharmonic Orchestras; the Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Suzhou, Niagara, and Kitchener-Waterloo Symphonies, the National Youth Orchestra & Youth Band of Canada, Tafelmusik, Ensemble Mise-En, Vancouver Bach Choir, China National Orchestra Chorus, Piano and Erhu Project, the Cecilia, Interro, and Bozzini Quartets, and members of the Paris Opera Orchestra. Upcoming projects include works for the Esprit Orchestra, International Double Reed Society, and the Verona Quartet, among others.
Roydon has won several awards for composition, including five SOCAN Foundation Prizes for Young Composers, the Washington International Composition Prize, CMC Prairies Emerging Composer Prize, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta’s Emerging Artist Award, Trio Anima Mundi International Composition Prize, and Metcalf Performing Arts Protégé Prize.
Born in Hong Kong, Dr. Tse studied piano and violin in the U.K. before earning degrees in composition at the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto. He is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Center and currently teaches at the Regent Park School of Music and Canadian Opera Company After School Opera Program.