Derek Lee - Alexina Louie: I Leap Through The Sky With Stars

I Leap Through The Sky With Stars depicts a vast universe through many mysteries and events. The Canadian Arts Council commissioned contemporary Canadian composer Alexina Louie to compose this work for advanced solo piano for the 1991 Canadian Music Competitions. It features her distinctively individual and expressive style, which has its roots in a fusion of east and west, and is based on a Zen poem. The composition features powerful hammered effects in the lowest register, as well as light, shimmering passages that call for a deft pianistic touch.
Learning Alexina Louie's piece was a pleasure this year. Her markings on the score, especially her pedal, phrase, tenuto, and tempo/time markings were always extremely clear. Her use of patterns and alterations of different motives were easy to follow, yet she simultaneously created a sound so resemblant of the galaxies. I've discovered that she has a particular style of alternating between senza mizura sections that were free in tempo and nature into stricter rhythmic sections that were set in a certain tempo. Her ability to create a contrast between explosive colours and glistening stars was delightful to recreate. The post-tonal chords throughout this piece were always comfortable in the hand despite there being disjunct moments, indicating that she is a considerate and respectable pianist. Overall, it was a joy to play I Leap Through The Sky With Stars, and I hope my performance captivated your ears the way it did to mine when I first heard it.

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Very capturing playing, I loved it 🎶