|
The First Emperor ( Listening the music )
As the West wind calls the Qin Emperor, Li Shimin, assembles his army and they prepare to set out across the vast Northern Desert. The tone of this selection is marked by tight drum tones and the clanging of gongs, representing the sheer power and epic scope of Emperor Li Shimin leading his army into battle.
A Rat-Fairy Wedding ( Listening the music )
This is the unusual tale of a rat wedding celebration in the middle of the night! The drum beats and music capture the spirit of this whimsical and humourous tale as one by one, the rats dare to venture out of their hole to engage in celebration and fun. Cautious at first, the rising sounds reflect the party in full swing! The mood shifts as a cat appears and the rats are scared away – the fun comes to an end via the introduction of this unwelcome guest!
Rolling Walnuts ( Listening the music )
This seasonal celebration of the walnut harvest captures the period when the picked walnuts are peeled and placed on rooftops to dry in the sunshine. The percussion attempts to capture the sound of the walnuts being blown to the ground by the wind and the resulting joy of the farmers as they watch another successful harvest.
Lady Warriors ( Listening the music )
The mood becomes a little sombre as this piece reflects a sorrowful time after invasion and violence. Following the death of a generation of their men in battle, the women of the Yang family, led by Ms She set out to defend their territory from neighbouring forces. The beat highlights the passion and romance of ancient battlefields as well as a generation of female heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Chatting ( Listening the music )
Here, the unique sound of the Bangu, describes a rural setting where a family gather cheerfully and swap stories after a long day working in the fields. The sound captures the satisfaction of a successful day together with the joy of shared moments within a family.
The Bull and the Tiger ( Listening the music )
This piece is about two animals in conflict and the ebb and flow of the beat describes their intentions and movements. A tiger and a bull encounter each other on a hill. Both sense a conflict and are ready for battle; the bull strikes first and a prolonged fight ensues until exhaustion causes them to stop. The tension and drama of the battle is captured in the beat- animals feature heavily in Chinese legends and this drum beat is suggestive of the animal power in all of us.
Yellow Ground Soul ( Listening the music )
This musical sketch offers up to the audience the inevitable march of nature and how the earth tells us tales of eons gone by. This piece, with its emotional drum sounds, passionate tone and tom-tom performances speak to the changes of the ages and to renewal of the earth.
Happiness ( Listening the music )
This piece expresses the festivity and joy of Chinese New Year and focuses upon the Yaogu, a typical Chinese drum. The Yaogu is played by girls and boys who bring it from door to door and village to village, and are rewarded with little treats for their efforts in this Chinese version of Trick or Treat!
|
