Poems from Angel Island for chamber winds (2026)
“Soledad's music soared, dived, and incisively evoked heartrending experiences.” - James Bash (Classical Voice America)

For chamber winds (2 flutes, oboe, clarinet in Bb, bass clarinet in Bb, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bassoon, 2 horns in F, 2 trumpets in Bb, piano, and double bass)
Duration: ca. 8'
Original version commissioned by the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Seattle Chamber Music Society

  1. From Endless Sorrows, Tears and Blood Streak
  2. Cages of Jade

San Francisco Bay’s Angel Island acted as an immigration station for mostly Chinese immigrants in the beginning of the 20th century during the Chinese Exclusion Act. Many of those coming through would pose as “paper sons or daughters,” forging documents to make it seem like they were related to someone already a citizen of the US. The US was aware of this and as such implemented an intense interrogation process to find out if they were telling the truth. Those held at the station would spend weeks, months, and even years on the island before being released or sent back to their origins. Hundreds of poems are inscribed on the walls telling of their feelings of anxiety, fear, boredom, and despair in the terrible living conditions and grueling questioning by the immigration officers.

Translations by Genny Lim

  1. From Endless Sorrows, Tears and Blood Streak - Lee Gengbo of Toishan
    After leaping into prison, I cannot come out.
    From endless sorrows, tears and blood streak.
    The jingwei bird carries gravel to fill its old grudge.
    The migrating wild goose complains to the moon, mourning his harried life.
    When Ziqing was in distant lands, who pitied and inquired after him?
    When Ruan Ji reached the end of the road, he shed futile tears.
    The scented grass and hidden orchids complain of withering and falling.
    When may I be allowed to soar at my own pleasing?
     
  2. Cages of Jade - Poem 135
    Detained in this wooden house for several tens of days,
    It is all because of the Mexican exclusion law which implicates me.
    It’s a pity heroes have no way of exercising their prowess.
    I can only await the word so that I can snap Zu’s whip.
    From now on, I am departing far from this building
    All of my fellow villagers are rejoicing with me.
    Don’t say that everything within is Western styled.
    Even if it is built of jade, it has turned into a cage.