In conversation with composer Nikei Kai Bowen

How did you get into composing? What do you enjoy most about the process?

When I was in high/secondary school, I was big into oil painting and ceramic sculpture. Though in my final year, I decided to enroll in cello performance studies at the University of Utah. During my first semester, I was curious about how my previous experiences with painting and sculpture could be used/experimented with in a musical sense with composition. Towards the end of my first semester I declared another major in music composition. Since then I have been very fortunate to expand my opportunities in composition.I enjoy the fact that composing is like creating a piece of visual art, but is experienced in an aural instead of a visual setting.

You’re also a fantastic cellist. How does your performance experience influence your compositional style or approach?

Thank you, that's so kind! I find that my performance experience influences my approach to composing because of the exposure I’ve had with different pieces in the orchestral, chamber, and new music canons. For me, idiomatic writing is at the forefront of my approach. This means that the music is sensible and provides an enjoyable experience for both the musician and listener.

 I believe my influences for style in composition are derived more from my background in the visual arts, rather than my performance experience. Olivier Messiaen’s Modes of Limited Transposition and his chomestesia (color) associations to these modes have been a point of inspiration in my composing approach recently.

Tell us more about your String Quartet No. 2, Sonnets. What was the inspiration for the set of works, and what was your experience like recording Sonnet 33 through Pursuit 19 Music Services?

My second quartet Sonnets is based on three different Shakespeare sonnets from his collection. The inspiration for the quartet came from a video of Judy Dench reciting Sonnet 29 on the Graham Norton Show. After hearing her recite the sonnet, and doing some further research on the poem, I thought it would be interesting to write a string quartet with poetry as a kind of performance practice. The idea that if there is text set in a score for strings, the player would “speak” or “sing” the poem through their instrument.

***My experience with Pursuit 19 Music Services has been absolutely wonderful! Somerset has been so professional, attentive, and delivers incredible recordings. I have felt like a part of the recording process through and through. I would recommend Pursuit 19 to anyone looking for a stellar recording from talented and personable musicians!***

Thank you, Kai!

To hear Pursuit 19’s recording of Kai’s incredible piece, visit their feature on our Listen page.