The Lo Shu scores do not refer directly to traditional Far Eastern music. Instead, their formal shaping is guided by the Chinese Lo Shu, the magic square. The horizontal, vertical, and diagonal rows of the nine cardinal numbers forming the square always add up to fifteen. The pieces often contain nine-part forms, and in Lo Shu I the nine instrumentalists are even assigned precise playing positions in the square. Instead of thriving on development, the music makes the most of the moment. There are no motifs, no repetitions, but each note stands alone, and contrasts exist side by side.