Traditional Chinese Music Concert

Monday, October 9, 2000 20:00     Forum II     100

PROGRAM

1. “Soaring Dragons and Leaping Tigers" Li Minxiong
Leading paigu  /  Chen Huanting

2. “Dance of the Dong People" Jiao Jinhai Arr. Gu Guanren
Soloist  /  Luo Jing

3. Chains of Chinese Western Tunes (Xinjian folksongs): Arr. Gu Guanren
“Dance of the Groom"
“In That Remote Area"
“Your Veil Lifted Up"
“Dance for Youth"

Conductor  /  Gu Guanren

4. “An Old Song from Taiwan Suite" Zhou Chenglong / Ma Shenglong
Leading paoqin  /  Zou Derong

5. “Heroic Sisters on the Mongolian Grassland" Wu Zuqiang / Liu Dehai
“Soloist  /  Zhang Qiang Arr. Wu Dajiang

Conductor  /  Wong Kin Wai

Intermission

6. “Dam Dam" Algerian Music Arr. Peng Xiuwen
“Serenade" F. Schubert Arr. Gu Guanren
“Thunder and Lightening, Polka" J. Strauss Arr. Gu Guanren

7. “Beautiful Africa" Yu Qingzhu Arr. Fu Peihua
Soloists  /  Wong Wei U, Zhang Yi

Conductor  /  Wong Kin Wai

8. “Red Lantern Hung Up" Zhou Chenglong
Soloist  /  Tang Junqiao

9. “Lan-hua-hua" Ballad Guan Ming Arr. Gu Guanren
Soloist  /  Ma Xiaohui

10. “Tune of a General" (Jiang-Jun-Ling) Cancao Antiga Arr. Gu Guanren

Conductor  /  Gu Guanren

Shanghai Traditional Music Orchestra
Macao Chinese Orchestra

Soaring Dragons and Leaping Tigers
The exciting melody and varied drum beating convey a dauntless and vigorous spirit of Chinese people.

Dance of the Dong People
The scenes of Dong villages and the feelings of the Dong people for their life are reflected in the tunes and rhythms of their folk songs.

Chains of Chinese Western Tunes (Xinjiang folksongs)
Four Chinese Western folk songs  /  Dance of the Groom, In That Remote Area, Your Veil Lifted Up and Dance for Youth  /  are adapted and linked together as chains. Strong local flavour is fully conveyed in a traditional orchestral ensemble. The last polyphony sings the four tunes at the same time, reaching a climax in the rich orchestral sound.

An Old Song
With materials from Taiwanese Gaoshan people¡¦s folksongs, the Taiwan Suite is a reflection of the life there in a multi-perspective way. The music consists of four movements: I. An Old Song; II. Mortal Dance and Stone Music; III. Under the Areca Palms; IV. Sacrifice for Harvest. Only the first movement is presented here.

Heroic Sisters on Mongolian Grassland
With a characteristic musical theme and its development, the music intends to speak of heroic spirit and vigorous Mongolian grassland. In its lyrical melody a story is told about the two sisters Longmei and Yurong, who protected the commune¡¦s flock of sheep from a snowstorm. The concerto for pipa and orchestra “Heroic Sisters on Mongolian Grassland" is considered a classic among the chinese music of the 20th century.

Beautiful Africa
The piece is from an African folk song with beautiful and brisk melody and strong rhythm. Its fast tempo brings the coda into a climax, which gives free rein to the techniques of the yangqin dulcimer.

Red Lantern Hung Up
With material from the tunes of Northern Shanxi, the piece gives us a scene of celebration in that area.

Lan-hua-hua Ballad
The ballad tells a story of a peasant girl of the north of Shanxi province, who was persecuted to death by a landlord. The music is from xin-tian-you, a Shanxi folk tune style, and the piece consists of an introduction and five sections, i.e. adagio, allegro, cadenza by the erhu fiddle, allegro and adagio.

Tune of a General (Jiang-jun-ling)
The sonorous and forceful melody, adapted from a well-known ancient tune, conveys an ancient militant spirit, full of power and grandeur.