Last month (21 Nov 2009), I went to the Singapore Conference Hall with my family for the SCO concert. That night was good expect that one or two songs may not suit to me, which was damm boring.....-_-;
Anyway, the concert night feathered the music item meant for 'snona' which is looked like the trupter but has no handle to hold. It's just like the long pipe tub that is one thing. OK, I'm fine with that insturment but do you know this one can not only play in chinese music, it also play in westen songs as well and ever pop songs.
Here's the night's concert:
1)Tributet to Homeland
2)Water Margin*
3)Invocation to the Pheonix*
4)Seeking Dreams in the Western Regions+
5)Chelsea Morining+
6)999 Stalks of Rose+
7)The Dark Sky-with Suona, Ka-qiang,Kou Qinzi and other orchestra
8)Love for the Yellow Earth(solo)
9)Dragon Lantern II+
*Suona Concerto
+With orchestra
The 'Tribute to Homeland is adapted from many folklore for 'labelled turnes' which refer to melodies of different regional and historical background. Mix with in rhythm techniques and style of Henan's opera singing. Thus it creates very good portrayal of the vibrancy and beautiful sound from suona. 'Chelsea Morning' is origined from composer cum singer, Joni Mitchell. It is very carefree and passionable music which is later arranged for the chinese orchestra. As for '999 Stalks of Roses' which is means in chinese "Cioa bian cioa sian cioa mia hua"(sorry if I type hui ei pai for chinese words) was writen by Hong Kong singer Tai Zhang Xiao. It is the love song about the yearning for loved one due to sparation in distance. The 'Water Margin Capriccio' is the inspiretion from Chinese novel, "Water Margin" which is story about the heroes of this book. This make into three different movements; First movement-Bleak Future in Adagio, Second movement-Chaotic Happening in Allegretto Leggicro, Thrid movement-Chivalrous Dead Spirits in Adagio Lento Affettuoso Ed Appassionato. It contains full of braving story with tragic and dramatic in suona concerto. Therefore it brings full of amazing sound and great melody for this piece. 'Seeking Dreams in the Western Reions' which is form of Central Asia to Western Regions and mainland China with graceing melody to pizzicato in music technique.'Love for the Yellow Earth' was composed by one of the suona player, Zhou Dong Chao who he won for the National Chinese Instrument Composition Competition. It is about the earth with people from homeland and ever bring this courage spirits of people who live in very harsh conditions and able to dare a dream for a better future.The 'Invocation to the Phoenix' which was composed in 1996 from the inspirtional of the oil base painting series, Phenix Bathing in Fire. From slow and prolonged paste to the full range of melodie with the orchestra. This based of the legend of the phoenix which symbolise the spirit of people full of exhibhiting and yearning for life.(Which is why.... I don't find that clear with this piece. Turst me....x-x) 'The Dark Sky' based from the Taiwanese folk song, 'Ti Or Or'(means the dark sky in Hokkien) which full of light-hearted turne and exquisite lyrics. And lastly, 'Dragon Lantern II' is about the festivities with the Chinese. And one of them, the Dragon Dance is known for the common sight for many Chinese. Full in reluse, with its tail swinging, in battle, and in flight. The dragon-lantern is also portray of the dragon lighting up in lanterns with is believed to bring good fortune and happiness.
I actually like 'The Dark Sky', '999 Stalks of Roses' and the 'Chelsea Morning' so far as the best. But the 'Invocation to the Phoenix', is after all quite boring if you don't get used to this as it make you more sleeping than enjoyment to listen. *sign* ><;
