Bang on a Can

Songs and Poems for the Solo Cello was based on music composed originally as a film score for the Taoist Qi-Qong master Sat Hon. In the version of it's origin, it was composed as a voice and cello duet. The original cellist Wendy Sutter, asked if I would compose a new work for her - for solo cello - based on those ideas. The present work for solo cello, incorporates some of the original vocal material from the film score. However, now it is almost double in length, stretching out to seven movements. In its new incarnation, though it owes much to it's original Taoist origins, it is meant as a concert piece without narrative or programmatic intent. - Philip Glass