Product Description
This piece is inspired by the Confucius Birthday Ceremony, probably dating from the Chou Dynasty, 1046-221BCE. The music, called Shao Music, has been played in all its magnificence since then. The event is highly choreographed and controlled musically, aiming to reflect and celebrate Confucius' philosphies of peace. Traditional Chinese music is primarily melodic, and western ears may feel the lack of harmonic richness. A player could read out the Confucius quotation at the beginning of each movement. Flute or Oboe, Oboe, Bassoon, optional Narrator.
How to play... The melody and some of the bass line consists of the rows of pitch-classes in verses 1 and 2 of Honouring Confucius (Ta Tsai Kung-Tzu) I have introduced rhythmic variety, harmony and some phasing and use the traditional pentatonic scale as rendered by the Chinese classical music instruments-drums, bells, flutes, and strings. The flute symbolises balance.
A man without...is a very short saraband, a courtly dance using all the pitches of verse 2 in order.
It was by music... uses major triad fanfares where possible, with an occasional glissando.
Music produces a special... is a sensuous waltz: as with most of the movements, I have shamelessly used a tonal harmony under the notes of verse 4 (illustrated).
When music and courtesy... plays the notes of Verse 6 in quintuple time over a drone.
If one should desire...is a barefoot parade (gymnopedie?) in Satie's style.
Duration 7 minutes.
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