Chinese Mountain Songs
Item
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Score title
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Chinese Mountain Songs
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Composer
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Traditional, arr. Chen Yi
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Program note
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Commissioned by my favorite women's choir, Kitka, and supported by commissioning grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Rockefeller Foundation, CHINESE MOUNTAIN SONGS is a set of five arrangements, which Kitka premiered June 17, 2001 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
These mountain songs are among the many Chinese folk songs I learned when studying composition at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. I selected songs representing provinces in the East, West, North, and South of China, including music of the Han, Zang (from Tibet), Li (from Hainan Island), and Mongolian/Meng (from Inner Mongolia) ethnic groups.
Generally, mountain songs are love songs or work songs, praising beautiful landscapes and sweethearts. This set of mountain songs is arranged in an antiphonal style highlighting the meaning of the text, and also taking best advantage of the venue of the premiere concert.
1. When Will the Scholartree Blossom?
Sichuan Folk Song, from the Han
In the high mountain, there is a scholartree,
The girl leaning against the fence is looking for her boyfriend.
Her mother asks: "What are you looking into?"
"I look forward to the blossom of the scholartree.”
2. A Ma Lei A Ho
Tibetan Folk Song, from the Zang
(In this musical setting only nonsense syllables are sung -below is a translation of the traditional words.)
There are many stars in the sky,
Only the Plough is the brightest;
There are many friends and relatives,
Only the parents are the dearest.
3. Gathering in the Naked Oats
Shanxi Folk Song, from the Han
The man is gathering in the naked oats on top of the hill,
His girlfriend is digging the taro everywhere in the mountain.
“Si lou” is the sound of cutting the naked oats with a sickle; “Ge beng" is the sound of digging the taro with a shovel.
4. Mt. Wuzhi
Hainan Island Folk Song, from the Li
Hainan is the name of a province in the south, where Mt. Wuzhi is located. “Shan” means mountain. (In this musical setting only nonsense syllables are sung.)
5. Ga Da Mei Lin Inner Mongolian Folk Song, from the Mongolian/Meng
Ga Da Mei Lin is the name of a Mongolian national hero.
The wild geese from the Yangtze River are flying in the sky,
Ga Da Mei Lin fought against the feudal authorities
For his people and their land.
English Translations by Chen Yi
Chen Yi