By merging music, dance and images, composer Chiu's upcoming showcase 'Spectrum Of Sentiment' offers a multi-disciplinary platform for collaboration and experimentation. Photo: Lex Low Wei Hoe
There's no such thing as “idle time” for a creative, because it’s quite often during periods of quiet that inspiration will strike.
Flutist, artist and composer Lawrence Chiu, 30, can relate – for the upcoming show Spectrum Of Sentiment, which will be performed at The Godown arts centre in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 19 and 20, he composed the original score “out of sheer boredom” during the pandemic lockdown.
As the show's producer, Chiu is combining contemporary classical flute music with movement from dancer/choreographer Erica Liew Xin Rui and a series of images from Singaporean photographer Syahmi Hashim.
The 90-minute multi-disciplinary show takes audiences on a journey through universal human emotions such as love, loss, hope and resilience, and is divided into six parts: Contained, Mind Sea, Under The Stars of Dawn Sky, I Wish To Bring You, Courageous and In The Garden.
“I needed some distraction to take my mind off things,” says Chiu.
“That's why you will find that some of the first piece, Contained, is rather meditative. The other pieces were inspired by stories I had heard from other artists, as well as my own experience. I thought, why not make a concert to share and connect with others who may have gone through similar experiences?”
Starting off with feelings of fear, self-doubt, being stuck in a rut and regret being played out through a range of low, calm alto to high pitched piccolo, the show’s narrative gradually transforms into one of hope and resilience, inviting the audience to reconnect with each other and with nature to play together “in the garden”.
The lilting cadence of the flutes is complemented by the fluidity of the choreography and calm imagery that draws from nature and pieces of flowing white cloth.
“It’s a symbolic reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable, yet we as humans are resilient and it is our interactions that make life meaningful,” adds Chiu, who received his musical training in Kuala Lumpur and Britain.
As a versatile musician, he has collaborated with diverse mix of musicians and artists.
He plays in the Philharmonic Winds Malaysia and has performed with Sunderland Symphony Orchestra, Bede Winds, Penang Philharmonic Orchestra, and many more.
Chiu also recently took on the role of curator for the Flutes In The Taman flute trio concert, touring across the country.
This weekend at The Godown, Chiu will be joined by five other flutists, comprising Alwin Yong, Bonnie Kong, Chew Sze Gee, Foo Chie Haur and Wong Xue Fen, who are all familiar names in the local classical music scene with stints that include the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Spectrum Of Sentiment will play at The Godown, Lorong Ampang, off Jln Bukit Nanas in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 19 (open rehearsal) and 20 (concert show). Tickets: RM55 for the open rehearsal and RM85 for the concert show.
