This composition is my personal nostalgic footprints of Hong Kong in the 1970s. There are three contrasting movements that are inspired by three popular subjects of the City at that time:

The first movement “Connaught Mansion” (康樂大廈) describes an important architecture that was once the tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia in the 1970s. The movement has a characteristic rhythmic energy that captures the towering view of 52 floors overlooking the beautiful Victoria Harbour and Central District of Hong Kong. The robust and jazz based harmony reimagine the vigorous “modern” city life below. The right hand ostinato figures and the left hand melodic motif symbolize the unique continuous rows of circular windows of the building, which is the focus and the landmark of Hong Kong Island.

The second movement “Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas” (萬佛寺) opens with the depiction of a child walking through the temple with a grandparent. The music is built on a tranquil pseudo Southern China folk melody that evokes sound of prayers of commoners as well as chanting of the monks. Music takes off to a majestic middle section, a reminiscence of my memorable childhood visit to the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Shatin (countryside of Hong Kong). The grand and evocative music portrays a magnificent temple with over ten thousands images of Buddha. Sounds of guzheng and pipa are evoked by rapid repeated notes and modal runs. The ascending virtuosic piano figures also symbolise the 400 steps that lead to the large golden Buddha at the top of the hill.

The third movement “Night Markets” (大笪地) describes the popular night bazaars in vast public open spaces where people gather. In this movement, the music captures the energy and joy at the height of night markets of Hong Kong in the 70s, where local citizens socialise after work in open-air spaces. The music embraces many cultural and recreational activities such as singing, juggling, fortune-telling, local food stalls and flea markets.

This work is commissioned and written especially for pianist Philip Chiu, the admirable young artist and phenomenal pianist who inspired me to write a work that pay tribute to our cultural heritage and homeland.