Nil-ri-ri-ya (2024)

Nil-ri-ri-ya is a traditional Korean folk song from Gyeonggi Province. Like Arirang, it expresses themes of longing, separation, and the passage of time. Its recurring refrain, “nil-ri-ri-ya,” is said to imitate the sound of the piri, a traditional Korean double-reed instrument.

Although the lyrics reflect sorrow and longing, the original song is often characterized by its lively refrain and cheerful melody. In this work, I chose instead to emphasize the melancholy of the text by creating a slower, more lyrical setting. I chose the saxophone because its timbre closely resembles that of the piri. Throughout the piece, the choir and saxophone engage in an ongoing dialogue, at times echoing one another and at other times exchanging the leading role.