Program Notes:

The society I grew up in places a strong emphasis on following rules, sacrificing oneself for the greater good, and becoming useful to a larger ensemble or company. This mindset is instilled from the earliest stages of education. In many ways, it shapes people into dispensable mechanical parts, replaceable without a moment’s hesitation. Many of my close friends now work in companies that uphold these values. While they often feel suffocated by such environments, they also find it difficult to leave, as this way of thinking has been embedded in them since childhood.

This piece is inspired by this social phenomenon, by the experiences of my friends, and by aspects of their working lives. Musically, I aim to reflect different states of their daily reality: the hectic pace of busy offices, the feeling of moving like a machine under strict instructions, the pressure of impossible demands, the frustration and self-absorption that follow, and the quiet act of holding everything in before taking a breath and returning to work once again.

At its core, this piece is both an acknowledgment and an expression of admiration for all the workers who endure these conditions. Their efforts should never be taken for granted. I composed this piece with the perhaps unrealistic hope for greater self-realization and self-worth, so that people may feel human again and find fulfillment not only in professional success, but also in the intrinsic value of their own existence.