Drift (2021)

I was asked to write a piece about Pasir Ris, focusing on the homegrown wildlife and nature that Singapore has to offer. With a sample of great recordings by wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Dan Ng, I decided to incorporate some “electronics” in this orchestral piece. The electronics are merely processed recordings of different animals, used to structure the piece and give it some context.

Singapore is home to several types of animals - local wildlife (“true blue Singaporeans”) as well as migratory animals - birds and such that come to this beautiful country for a rest and respite from harsher climates. It made me think of how these migratory cycles keep repeating and slowly drifting, be it short distance movements, like that of animals roaming a forest for different food sources, to large distance, from country to country. The piece utilises several repeating ideas that keep coming back again and again. The Shakuhachi, Gaoyin Sheng and Veena bring their own cyclical ideas, but almost seem like outsiders, unable to find a consistent place in the ensemble. Over time, however, they are accepted by the rest of the ensemble.

This piece is a tribute to the animals of Singapore, and Pasir Ris, both local and migratory, as well as to my parents, Tulika and Nandakumar, who have thought me a great love and fondness for nature. It was written for the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra, in March 2021.