Programme Note

The inspiration for “Unheard Wishes” came from my visits to Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, China, where millions of people come each year to offer prayers and make wishes. It has always fascinated me that, despite the crowded and bustling nature of the temple, each prayer manages to find a moment of peace to express the depths of their heart.

One particular late summer night, I was fortunate to visit the temple after it had closed to the public. Standing alone in the vast, empty, and silent temple, I felt as though I could almost hear the decaying echoes of a thousand prayers and their unspoken wishes. This profound experience led me to compose this piece, hoping to capture the essence of that moment. In my reflection, I found the clarinet to be the perfect instrument to convey the tenderness and loneliness inherent in those unheard wishes.
©Zhou Tian