Wang
Jiang Nan for Yangqin and
Wind Ensemble
Yew Tien, PHOON
(b.1952)
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This piece in four movements was composed upon the request of conductor cum composer Robert Casteels. It was inspired by the four famous poems – Wang Jiang Nan by Li Yu the last emperor of Nan Tang. This poem is also a reflection of the final stage of his tragic life.
The four movements are based on the four versions of a twelve tone row respectively original, inversion, retrograde and retrograde inversion .It was deliberately arranged in such a way to enable an overall colour scheme to be carried through the pieces.
The
four poems by Li Yu is as follows:
I
Leisurely
meditating deep
eTis
spring in southern country
where
river boats resound with music from pipes and stings
The
whole town sees blossoming petals strewn over the dust
How
the floral lovers admiring busily
II
Leisurely
meditating deep
eTis
autumn in southern country
a
thousand miles of landscape freezing far and wide
Midst
thick reed marshes anchors a lone vessel
The
flautistf melody floats on the moon-shore
Balcony
III
However
much lamentation
In
dreams of previous night
Reminiscent
of glorious times
Strolling
in the park
Incessant
streams of horses and carriages
Hearts
beaming with joyousness
IV
However
much tears
Gushing
down face and cheek distraught
Let
not sorrow be expressed in words
Let
not sorrow be sung through reeded pipes
So
the heartbroken soul remains absolute
( Translated by Leong Yoon Pin )
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