In the Summoning of Rain

Rain is not only a natural phenomenon but a symbol that carries layered

meanings across cultures. It is often linked with life, growth, and renewal,

yet it can also evoke feelings of sadness, loss, and isolation.

Growing up in Northern China, I often awaited the arrival of summer

rainstorms with great anticipation. As a child, I would listen for hours to

the sound of raindrops striking different surfaces, fascinated by the

contradictions within rainfall – how it could feel both isolating and

cleansing, peaceful yet invigorating. Over time, these encounters shaped

complex and deeply personal feelings toward rain.

„In the Summoning of Rain“ draws on this emotional landscape and the

idea of calling for rain through an imaginative ritual. The piece explores

a sense of anticipation, secrecy, and mounting tension, reflecting the

longing bound up in such a summons. The rain remains withheld until the

final moment, when the atmosphere finally shifts and the first raindrops

finally arrive – just as the music abruptly cuts off.

Bass flute version recorded at the Konzertsaal, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, Cologne, Germany; 7 January 2026.