emily kohemily koh

[word]plays[word]plays

microtonal works for saxophone(s) microtonal works for saxophone(s) 

New Thread Quartet | Noa Even | Philipp StäudlinNew Thread Quartet | Noa Even | Philipp Stäudlin



CD Info

[word]plays[word]plays is an album of microtonal works for saxophone(s) is an album of microtonal works for saxophone(s) 
inspired by the similarly named literary technique in which witty word-use inspired by the similarly named literary technique in which witty word-use 
becomes the subject of the work. becomes the subject of the work. 

The central works in [word]plays are three saxophone quartets—The central works in [word]plays are three saxophone quartets—homonymhomonym 
(2013)(2013), , heteronym/heteronym/ (2016)(2016) and and cryptonym:cryptonym: (2018)(2018)—composed for the —composed for the 

Amigo Saxophone Quartet, PRISM Quartet, and New Thread Quartet Amigo Saxophone Quartet, PRISM Quartet, and New Thread Quartet 

respectively. These quartets take their inspiration from the meanings of the respectively. These quartets take their inspiration from the meanings of the 

compound words formed when the -onym suffix is attached after a root word. compound words formed when the -onym suffix is attached after a root word. 

 ・ ・ homonyms are words that are spelled identically and sound the same, but have homonyms are words that are spelled identically and sound the same, but have 
different meaningsdifferent meanings

・・ heteronyms are words that are spelled identically, but are pronounced differently, heteronyms are words that are spelled identically, but are pronounced differently, 
and have different meaningsand have different meanings

・ ・ cryptonyms are code names or secret words cryptonyms are code names or secret words 

Flanking the quartets are Flanking the quartets are medi+aTionmedi+aTion (2016)(2016) and and b(locked.orders)b(locked.orders) (2019)(2019). These solo . These solo 
works are named with neologisms which include special symbols, giving these titles a works are named with neologisms which include special symbols, giving these titles a 
polysemic quality. polysemic quality. medi+aTion medi+aTion (2016) can be read as ‘meditation’ or ‘mediation’, and (2016) can be read as ‘meditation’ or ‘mediation’, and 
looks within for inner meanings and unfoldings. looks within for inner meanings and unfoldings. b(locked.orders)b(locked.orders) (2019) can be read as (2019) can be read as 
‘blocked borders’ or ‘blocked orders’, and sonifies the stifled voices of immigrants in their ‘blocked borders’ or ‘blocked orders’, and sonifies the stifled voices of immigrants in their 
adoptive countries, as well as silenced minorities within their home countries. The version of adoptive countries, as well as silenced minorities within their home countries. The version of 
b(locked.orders), with video art by Michiko Saiki can be viewed at emilykoh.netb(locked.orders), with video art by Michiko Saiki can be viewed at emilykoh.net

- - emily kohemily koh, 2021, 2021





emily kohemily koh (b.1986) | composer(b.1986) | composer
I. I. medi+aTionmedi+aTion (2016)(2016) - 6’46’’ - 6’46’’

 Philipp Stäudlin, baritone saxophone Philipp Stäudlin, baritone saxophone

 
II. II. homonymhomonym (2013)(2013) - 07’07’’ - 07’07’’

III. III. heteronym/heteronym/ (2016)(2016) - 07’07’’ - 07’07’’

IV. IV. cryptonym:cryptonym: (2018)(2018) - 11’37’’ - 11’37’’

 New Thread QuartetNew Thread Quartet

 Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, soprano saxophone Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, soprano saxophone

 Kristen McKeon, alto saxophone Kristen McKeon, alto saxophone

 Erin Rogers, tenor saxophone Erin Rogers, tenor saxophone

 Zach Herchen, baritone saxophone Zach Herchen, baritone saxophone
VV. . b(locked.orders)b(locked.orders) (2019)(2019) - 11’45’’- 11’45’’

 Noa Even, soprano saxophone 
Noa Even, soprano saxophone 


Total running time Total running time - 44’22”- 44’22”

 



creditscredits

Engineering:Engineering: Jason Rogers (I.); 
Jason Rogers (I.); 
Jeremy Tressler & Dreamflower Acoustic (II.-IV.); Jeremy Tressler & Dreamflower Acoustic (II.-IV.);

 Paul Griffiths (V.) 
Paul Griffiths (V.)


Editing and Mixing: Editing and Mixing: Jason Rogers (I., V.); 
Jason Rogers (I., V.); 
Jeremy Tressler, Dreamflower Acoustic (II.-IV.) Jeremy Tressler, Dreamflower Acoustic (II.-IV.)

Venues:Venues: Slosberg Hall, Waltham, MA (I.); 
Slosberg Hall, Waltham, MA (I.); 
West Center Church, Yonkers, NY (II.-IV.); 
West Center Church, Yonkers, NY (II.-IV.); 
Dancz Center for New Music, Athens, GA (V.) 
Dancz Center for New Music, Athens, GA (V.) 


Mastering:Mastering: Raelynn Janicke, Infrasonic Sound 
Raelynn Janicke, Infrasonic Sound


Album Art: Album Art: Michiko Saiki 
Michiko Saiki 


innova Director of Recordings:innova Director of Recordings: Chris Campbell Chris Campbell

innova Manager of Recordings:innova Manager of Recordings: Tim Ingel Tim Ingel


innova® is the label of the American Composers Forum.innova® is the label of the American Composers Forum.

© © emily kohemily koh, 2021. All Rights Reserved., 2021. All Rights Reserved.

www.innova.mu www.emilykoh.netwww.innova.mu www.emilykoh.net



gratitudes gratitudes 


New Thread QuartetNew Thread Quartet, , Noa EvenNoa Even, and , and Philipp Stäudlin Philipp Stäudlin 

for their artistry and technical prowess;for their artistry and technical prowess;

Jeremy TresslerJeremy Tressler, , Jason RogersJason Rogers,, Paul GriffithPaul Griffith and and Piper PaynePiper Payne 

for their tech expertise;for their tech expertise;

Michiko SaikiMichiko Saiki 

for the beautiful album design and art;for the beautiful album design and art;

and the and the National Arts Council (Singapore)National Arts Council (Singapore), , 

the the Willson Center for Humanities and Arts (University of Georgia)Willson Center for Humanities and Arts (University of Georgia), , 

and and MacDowellMacDowell, 
, 
for their support in making this album possible. for their support in making this album possible. 

innova is supported by an endowment from the innova is supported by an endowment from the McKnight FoundationMcKnight Foundation..