instrumentation

2(picc)222/4231/timp.2perc/hp.pf/str

 

solo Instrument

Chinese Percussion

 

duration

15

 

year composed

2004

 

première year

2004

 

première artists

CHAU Chin Tung, Hong Kong Sinfonietta

 

other info

Commissioned for "the Year of China in France" at Saint-Riquier Festival and Les Flaneries Musicales d’Ete de Remis

 

program notes

“Whiteness possesses a special quality. It feels and looks pure, romantic and naïve… but at the same time, it hints at some possible repression. Behind that stillness and harmony, there may be an abyss of danger waiting to explode.

 

Chinese percussion instruments play a main role in this work: with the dark and grandiose dagu (Big drums); the colourful and spirited paigu (a set of Chinese drums); the small but “bossy” bangu (a small and flat Chinese drum, used in Chinese opera) and other smaller percussions. The accompanying orchestra (of western instruments) sometimes becomes Chinese wind and percussion instruments, as they exchange ideas with the solo percussionist. Together, they raise the work to reach its climax.

 

Special thanks to soloist CHAU Chin Tung who has given invaluable comment on the Chinese percussion arrangements.”

 

Commissioned by Hong Kong Sinfonietta in 2004 with sponsorship from CASH Music Fund