The Five Elements

Zhou Long

2003

Flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, cello

Flute, orchestra

Flute doubling piccolo

The concept of the Five Elements was central to traditional Chinese thought; here each element is characterised in an individual movement. The first movement is 'Metal', where the sound of iron being forged is imitated in the percussion, and echoed in the languid tone-clusters on piano. The second movement is 'Wood', in which strong rhythmic patterns are generated on the wooden percussion instruments, alongside pizzicato motifs in the strings. The third movement is 'Water', which takes on a slow, expansive texture, with long and tranquil melodic lines to create a feeling of quiet calm and serenity. The fourth movement is 'Fire', which is characterized by persistent rhythmic drumming patterns and energetic trilling figures, punctuated by cascading bell-like chords in the piano, embodying light and heat. The last movement is âEarthâ; the music moves slowly and majestically in a free tempo, creating a feeling of peaceful, open space. At the end, all the elements are transformed into a perfect balance.