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Liaisons (2015) was inspired by an art installation, Mountains of Encounter, by artist Haegue Yang. The installation itself was motivated by the story of an American journalist in Shanghai who met secretly with a Korean revolutionary several times in the 1930s. While Liaisons is written for a quartet, most of the music consists of duets, allowing each individual instrument to speak freely with each of the others and have meaningful dialogue (see below for specific start times for each duet), away from the public eye represented by the entire (and more impersonal) ensemble. The work was commissioned by Musiqa for performance in Yang’s installation during its time at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.
Recorded May 27, 2015
Maiko Sasaki, clarinet; Kate Caliendo, horn; Craig Hauschildt, percussion; Patrick Moore, cello
Music (2015) and video (2020) © Charles Halka. All rights reserved.
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Tsakapa Chatashu (2014, 5’) tenor saxophone and percussion
James Sterling, saxophone; Brandon Bell, percussion
Scherzo (2008, 8’) for orchestra
Live performance by the Lviv Philharmonic
Taras Krysa, conductor
Six Miniatures (2011, 12’30”) for brass quintet
Performed live at the Orange Show Monument (Houston, TX)
David Sedgwick, trumpet; Ian Kivler, trumpet; Nathanael Udell, horn; Berk Schneider, trombone; Nathan Cunningham, tuba
Fever Dream (2019, 8’) for sinfonietta
Live premiere performance at MICF 2019 by Alarm Will Sound.
Alan Pierson, conductor.
Por la Fuerza las Tierras (2010, 12’) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano
ÓNIX Ensamble performed live at Brooklyn's National Sawdust.
Miniatures (2007, 6’30”) for piano - No. 1
Charles Halka, piano; Mark Hirsch, visual artist
Chuchichäschtli (2012, 6’) for bass clarinet and percussion
Diego Vásquez, bass clarinet; Mike Jones, percussion
Live performance at SICPP 2014)
Imaginary Spaces (2014, 12’) for percussion quartet
METRODances. Percussionists are Emma Terrell, Dino Georgeton, Torrell Moss, and Stephen Tobin. Choreography by Lydia Hance.
Event/video by Frame Dance Productions.
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Evening Rainbow (2017) for string trio
Weiwei Le, violin; Tobias Roth, viola; Andrew Smith, cello
Impact (2013) for orchestra
Performance by the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra with conductor Marin Alsop.
Live Bass Improv (2010) for fixed media
consists entirely of acoustic bass sounds performed by bassist Annabella Leslie and recorded by students at Rice Electroacoustic Music Labs (REMLABs).
Potato Face Blind Man (2016) for mezzo and chamber ensemble
Live performance by Callithumpian Consort
Thea Lobo, mezzo-soprano; Stephen Drury, conductor
Dipukų Rauda (2009, from Julius) for a cappella choir
Live performance by the Jauna Muzika chamber choir; Vaclovas Augustinas, conductor
Expand, Contract, Breathe, Weep, Bellow (2018) for fixed media
This work was inspired by and designed to accompany movement by UNLV choreographer Cathy Allen.
It Isn't Me (2013, from And Jill Came Tumbling After) for mezzo and piano
Ashley Stone, mezzo-soprano; Katie Leung, piano
Melodica NV (2010) for melodica and live electronics
Charles Halka, melodica
Performed live at the 2019 WSU Festival of Contemporary Art Music
Rhapsody (2008) for soprano saxophone (or birbynė) and harp
Noah Getz, saxophone; Jacqueline Pollauf, harp
The Painting Makes Me Want to Run Naked (2010) for trombone, cello, and bass (excerpt)
Ben Zilber, trombone; Eva Lymenstull, cello; Bella Leslie, bass
Miniatures (2007) for solo piano
Linda Angkasa, piano
Duet (2011) for bassoon and cello
Recorded live on September 25, 2011 with Galina Kiep, bassoon; Eva Lymenstull, cello
Still, Something (2013, from And Jill Came Tumbling After) for mezzo and piano
Ashley Stone, mezzo-soprano; Katie Leung, piano
Trio (2007) for violin, cello, and piano (excerpt)
Premiered by the Armonas Trio (Lithuania): Ingrida Armonaitė, violin; Rimantas Armonas, cello; Irena Uss, piano
Fantasy (2006) for solo cello (excerpt)
Alicia Ward, cello