Hansol Choi - N'ur'tu[Re ] 'Acarono Iterum' for Violoncello & Piano

N’ur’tu[Re:] - ‘Acarono Iterum’ is a reflective and responsive memoir to the concert theme: ’entanglement.’ This piece and concert are commissioned and curated by cellist Dave Eggar and pianist Yifei Xu. After having delved deep into research and reflection about what ‘entanglement’ entails in the world of both quantum physics and psychology, the piece took form as a response to both acknowledging ‘entanglements’ and how to address and remedy the needs resulting from this phenomenon. 



Entanglements in Quantum Physics express that when one particle is connected to another in quantum proximity, they respond to each other through a connection, no matter how far apart, proportionately and at times even paradoxically. The result of this phenomenon is mostly concluded through the observation and perception of how the connected particles interact with one another. If the connected particles are observed from a unified perception, then it can be concluded that they are indeed connected and even a single object. If the perception of the observation is not unified then the particle will seem disconnected, yielding an inconclusive disconnected result. In psychology, emotional entanglements entail that we attach ourselves to something to avoid or to remedy an observable pain.  If perception is what determines how one observes the result of a phenomenon, the same can be said of one’s response to pain. Pain and loss beckon a response, but in a naive attempt to rid oneself of these afflictions, one finds themselves emotionally entangled, becoming further connected to an erroneous perception to pain, self, and love. This entanglement would only deepen the schism within. Perhaps what one needs to free themselves is to nurture their own self as if embracing a child. Alain De Botton writes, “We fall in love because we long to escape from ourselves with someone as ideal as we are corrupt.” The great trouble from the inescapable self leaves on to decide between further entanglements or to re-connect with oneself, nurturing the very needs of the soul. To nurture oneself by connecting to a secure source of love is perhaps the bravest feat to becoming fully free from an entanglement.



‘Acarono’ is the first-person singular present indicative form of ‘acaronar’ meaning “to embrace as a baby on to their mother’s breasts,” and ‘Iterum’ means “in repetition.” This piece longs to express the need for nurture of oneself repeatedly through an embrace achieved through a self-made choice. Whether we connect ourselves to our friends, family, romantic partners, ourselves, or God; it is our responsibility to respond to pain with nurture by connecting ourselves to a source of love. This piece quotes the beloved but poignant Korean lullaby “섬집아기 (A cottage on an isle)” it sings to itself to reconnect to a source of nurturing love, changing the perceptive narrative on an affliction, and embracing itself while severing erroneously established entanglements. This piece longs to soothe an ache through singing a lullaby just as a mother would soothe her child through her nurturing embrace and singing.

Recorded by:

MOSTLY MODERN FESTIVAL

In Partnership with Muziekschool Zeeland

Zeeuwse Concertzaal Middelburg, ZE (The Netherlands)

4/22/2023

LINKS Mostly Modern Festival | The Netherlands: https://www.mostlymodernfestival.nl Muziekschool Zeeland: https://muziekschoolzeeland.nl/ Composer: https://www.hansolchoi.com/ Paolo Gorini: https://paologorini.com/