Musical Narrativity in Wong Chee Wei’s Poetic and Pictorial Splendor

Abstract

Abstract
Research on selected contemporary piano solo works composed by Malaysian composers has been conducted to display the musical narrativity of the works through interpretation. Malaysian contemporary piano compositions are burgeoning, yet the recognition of Malaysian composers and the accessibility to local compositions still need improvements. Hence, this paper aims to share applicable theories and potential schemes of analysis, to enable multi-angle interpretative analysis to be done to reach out to wider audience. Main methods employed were textual analysis, music scores analysis, and interpretation as a hermeneutic approach recommended by the concept of musical narrativity suggested by John Rink, which includes views from that of a composer, as
well as creativity and ideas from a performer. We argue that any analysis or
interpretation should not be based on a single viewpoint but should integrate and
consider the perspectives from multiple positions. Through examining the musical
narrativity of a selected piano work -Poetic and Pictorial Splendor, composed by Wong Chee Wei, the meaning of the music from the perspective of the composer and the performer is displayed.

Keywords: Malaysian composer, Malaysian local piano compositions, musical narrativity, contemporary piano works, interpretation