《問天》 Of Heaven and Earth
KG1012A
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1 Of Heaven and Earth 7:10
2 Caravan 5:02
3 Autumn Breeze 6:01
4 Guozhuang: Tibetan Bonfire Dance 6:10
5 Lament of the Refugees 6:42
6 Concord 6:20
7 Grace 6:37
8 Wilderness 6:23
9 Morning Chirps 6:18
1. Of Heaven and Earth
In this bleak world, where the mountains and rivers of Life stand between the heaven and the earth. A male chorus made up of three men, challenges the higher registers. lt is solemn and memorable. What does "human being" signify in this world? The heavy and recurring MIDI bass is the majestic heavens and the Xun (ancient egg-shaped, holed wind instrument,made of clay) is the grand pastures. Is fate really a sword hanging over the skies? The macho male chorus, the Guanzi (an ancient double-reed wind instrument) and the drum are like intense chanting from a church, becoming clearer and louder and unmistakably sad. At a special moment in time, the doors of the spiritual heaven and earth were all opened. The sounds slowly die away and leave behind a floating echo over the land. When the echo disappears, everything is hidden within the silent universe.
2. Caravan
On the long desert road, the merchants on their camels arrive at a village in the west. The young girls of the village bring them wine and food and starts a jolly dance. Having spent a whole day travelling, the merchants are invigorated by the warm reception. The music uses a lively alternating 7/8 and 9/8 rhythm. The three Xuns and a Tao-di make use of unregulated repeated notes and enters the main theme in full ecstasy. The middle part features the Zheng and the Pipa with a heavy rhythmic background. The cadenza is played by a bamboo flute based on a song of the west village. In the recapitulation, the bustling atmosphere of the ancient silk road is portrayed.
3.Autumn Breeze
The clear blue Autumn sky and the yellow leaves covering the ground bring yesterday’s memories. Leaves are falling; the elegant melody performed by the Zheng sounds like a gust of Autumn breeze that trails through the golden leaves-covered ground. An a cappella female chorus conjures up the old memories which are as abundant as the stars in the night sky.
4. Guozhuang: Tibetan Bonfire Dance
Darkness falls over the wild hills. From a dark and wet cave appears a primitive ancestor. A high-pitched Xun and a Pai-xiao (panpipe) are supported by four low-pitched Xun, the bright tones signifying the eyes with which man finds the light. The allegro is a section which features the Bang-di (bamboo flute of the northern provinces) and the group of Xuns alternatively. Look, fire! Warmth, heat… filled with happiness, hope and beauty. The darkness is lifted and the roads in the hills are lit. There is no more cold … and there is good food. Oh, the saintly and godly fire! The burning flame starts to dance and the people also follow, encircling the fire, dancing with joy. The dance intensifies and the dance steps are mixed with the red sea of fire.
5. Lament of the Refugees
The wars between the tribes result in home losses. The Pipa is a young girl who is quietly sobbing,"Mother, where are you? Can you hear me? Father and brothers are both dead and the fire is burning up to the sky…" The sound of the Xun is like the mother’s reply, soft and benevolent.
6. Concord
"The golden wheat sways in the wind; and the brothers meet on the day of the harvest. We use the utensils made of bamboo and wood to celebrate; you play the Xun and the Di; there is nothing comparable to the happiness of brothers in concord. "The music is based on a poem taken from the ancient Chinese classic Shi-jing (The Book of Songs) which is about the love between brothers.
7.Grace
The distant sound of the Xun, the female voice and the saxophone which trails between the two sounds portray the elegant and graceful women, talking with each other. The music makes use of two rhythms taken from the Beijing Opera. As a result, the oriental colour is fully recognisable, whilst the music is clear as a tribute to Chinese.
8. Wilderness
The music starts with a free improvisation of the Xun. The rhythm gradually be-comes clearer and introduces a contrapuntal part between the Shakuhachi and male voice. The rhythm strengthens and is full of energy. Beyond the frontier, there are sandstorms, snowstorms and the majestic mountain range, all a part of the picture of the northern county.
9. Morning Chirps
As dawn arrives, a bird starts chirping on the tree branch Gu-di (bone-flute) as if it is calling the first ray of the sun. The other birds gradually awaken-the five Xuns, Tao-di (porcelain flute) and the Gu-shao (bone-whistle ) are the different calling sounds of the birds. As the sun rises, the sounds of the birds become louder, presenting a morning full of hope and vigour
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