Synopsis:

寻 (Seek) - a process of search for a new musical direction for the art form; a process of search for the roots; a process of self-searching and self-improvement.

Seek《三月天。寻》aims to encapsulate the old and new through two concerts of different programmes.

Afternoon Concert Programme

滇西土風三首 I - 阿佤山 Dianxi Folk Tunes 1st Movement - Awa Mountain by 郭文景 Guo Wen Jing

拉萨行 III - 天葬 A Trip to Lhasa 3rd Movement - Sky Burial by 关乃忠 Kuan Nai-chung

达勃河随想曲 Dabo River Caprice by 何训田 He Xuntian

抒情变奏曲 Lyrical Variations by 刘长远 Liu Changyuan

As the name suggests, Guo Wen Jing's 滇西土風三首 (Dianxi Folk Tunes) features ancient melodies and creates a primitive atmosphere of Yunnan, China. In particular, this movement recounts the history of the Va people of Awa Mountain, who carried out many traditional religious activities.

Written in 1984, composer Kuan Nai-chung used contemporary western harmonies and instruments in the composition to depict the landscape and cultural practices in Tibet. In Movement III, 天葬 (Sky Burial), the Sheng sets a mysterious and sacred atmosphere that escalates to a cacophony that chronicles the funeral practice used in Lhasa, Tibet.

Using motifs inspired by Middle Eastern music, He Xuntian uses the xiao to depict the lively landscapes of Baima Tibetans in 达勃河随想曲 (Dabo River Caprice).

Liu Changyuan's 抒情变奏曲 (Lyrical Variations) uses western composition form of variations. With the 15 variations, the composer used unconventional tonalities to express the emotions of joys and sorrows.

Evening Concert Programme

火车托卡塔 Train Toccata by 刘湲 Liu Yuan, arranged by 姜瑩 Jiang Ying

Caprice of Nature by Sulwyn Lok

冬 Winter by 卢亮辉 Lu Lianghui

沙迪尔传奇 The Legend of Shadi-er by 刘湲 Liu Yuan

火车托卡塔 (Train Toccata) arranged by Jiang Ying uses the western Toccata form, the virtuosic passages and harmonies, encapsulating the shoving movement of a moving train.

Caprice of Nature by NUS Alumnus and local composer, Sulwyn Lok. Using uncommon percussion instruments and mixed meters, this piece depicts the multiple facades and unpredictable behaviour of nature.

Written in a sonata form, 冬 (Winter) is Lu Lianghui's last of a series of works representing the Four Seasons. It evokes the festive scenes of a snow-filled landscape.

Liu Yuan's 沙迪尔传奇 (The Legend of Shadi-er) is a symphonic poem that recounts the story of the eponymous Shadi-Er. An excellent composer and singer of folk-song, Shadi-Er used his art as a weapon against the Qing government.