The essence of 7  is multiplicity, as it is at once many different things. It is a single piece, yet also seven different pieces. It is a set of small character pieces, yet also a grand-scale concerto, with not just one, but four soloists. Its solo instruments are all zithers, but four different zithers from three different musical cultures. Its subject is the traditional five elements of East Asian culture, though they are presented in unusual and perhaps unexpected forms.

月 (moonlit shadows) The five elements are flanked by moon and sun, as the piece begins in mysterious quietude, with flitting shadows cast by moonlight.

火 (flaring heat) The calm is shattered by a sudden conflagration, growing ever more intense as fuel is added to the fire.

水 (melting ice) The iciness of koto is featured as the music slowly drips, with cold light shining through drops of water to form a prism.

木 (swaying trees) Gayageum comes to the fore as a gentle breeze flows through a stand of tall trees.

金 (distant bells) The resonance of guzheng fills the crisp autumn air with ringing sound.  

土 (churning depths) The rich low tones and dynamic rhythms of geomungo suggest the raw power of natural forces deep in the earth.

日 (rising light) The final movement takes the shape of the sun emerging from the calm of dawn, building to its apex where it blazes brightly…

About 17 minutes long, 7 was commissioned by the Asian Zither Musicians’ Association for their 30^th anniversary concert.