Fu I
for solo pipa
(1999)
ca. 8’
Videos
Score
Program Notes

‘Fu’ literally means ambush, while in terms of pipa technique, ‘Fu’ is the action of abruptly stopping the strings after striking them violently. This extreme contrast between sharp percussive attack and silence provides the generative kernel for Fu I. This work was premiered by Wu Man at the Stuttgart Music Festival. In addition to this version for solo pipa, there is an ensemble version titled Fu II for Pipa and Five Western Instruments.