交响音画《然界畅想》 Symphonic Portrait: Caprice of Nature (2015 - 2016)
Approx. Length - 8'30
For Chinese Orchestra or Chinese Chamber Ensemble
Watch!
Ding Yi Youth Ensemble (conductor: Tan Qing Lun), 2015, premiere
Victoria Junior College Chinese Orchestra (conductor: Lim Kiong Pin), 2016
‘Caprice of Nature’ depicts the multiple facades of Mother Nature, who is ever so enigmatic and dynamic. The short opening passage speaks of the mystery behind nature. Without warning, the forces of nature sweep all into the allegro passage, where the main theme is introduced. Irregular and changing time signatures throughout portray the erratic, unpredictable behaviour of nature. The coda recapitulates the main theme, but this time as a stately procession with a steady 2/2 time signature, illustrating the reverence of mankind for nature's creation and destruction.
The work is characterized by the use of the orchestra to make musicians and audience alike feel one with nature. Uncommon percussion instruments such as the thunder drum, rain stick and thunder sheet are used, while other mainstream percussion and orchestra instruments adopt techniques to create sounds of nature, setting the stage for an immersive experience.
Full Instrumentation (Chinese orchestra version):
2 Bangdi
2 Qudi
2 Soprano Sheng
2 Alto Sheng
1 Bass Sheng*
2 Soprano Suona
2 Alto Suona
1 Bass Suona*
1 Alto Guan (doubling on Soprano Guan)*
1 Bass Guan*
Yangqin
Liuqin*
Pipa
Zhongruan
Daruan
Guzheng
Suspended Cymbal, Egg Shaker, Chime Tree, Tam-tam, Vibraslap
Rainstick, Congas, Clapper, Tom-toms (or Paigu)
Bass Drum, Thunder Drum, Thunder Sheet
Xylophone, Cymbals*
Vibraphone, Yunluo*
Suspended Cymbals, Wind Chimes
Timpani
(7 percussionists)
Gaohu
Erhu I, II
Zhonghu
Cello
Double Bass
*May be omitted to fit smaller orchestras. Precise details upon enquiry.
Full Instrumentation (chamber ensemble version):
1 Bangdi
1 Qudi
1 Soprano Sheng
1 Alto Sheng
1 Yangqin
1 Pipa
1 Zhongruan
1 Daruan
1 Guzheng
Percussionist I:
Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Egg Shaker, Wind Chimes, Tam-tam, Vibraslap
Percussionist II:
Rainstick, Congas, Clapper, Suspended Cymbal, Tom-toms
Optional third percussionist on timpani
1 Gaohu
1 - 2 Erhu I
1 Erhu II
1 Zhonghu
1 Cello
1 Double Bass
(18 musicians)
Approximate Difficulty Levels:
Bowed strings (Huqin): ●●●●○
Bowed strings (Cello/Bass): ●●●●○
Plucked strings: ●●●●○
Winds: ●●●●○
Percussion: ●●●○○
Overall: ●●●●○