The Yellow River concerto has always been one of my favourite piece, but it is hard to find performers that can actually bring out its underlying significance and majesty
A little background…
It was adapted from Xian Xinghai’s “Yellow River Cantata” in 1940… The Yellow River is seen as a persistent musical theme and also a metaphor for China – praising the glorious history of the Chinese nationality (zhonghua minzhu) and the persistent struggling spirit of the Chinese citizens; it bitterly criticizes the cruelties of the oppressors and the torment suffered by the Chinese people. Hoping to nourish a sense of belonging and concern, nationalists pulled on the nation’s musical heartstrings. According to Ellen Judd, in China’s cultural redefinition in the 1940s, the performing arts offered the peasantry a “persuasive presentation of a new conception of the world” (Judd 1986, 31). Think the period when this cantata was composed coincides with Mao Zedong’s 1942 Yan’sn Talks on Literature and Art stating the central principle that art should be based on, reflect, and serve “the people”.
I finally found a video of this Yellow River concerto performed in the 70s in China.. I thought the pianist did wonderfully in portraying the underlying musical significance…the historical, political and economical significance. He really has the fire when he plays.. must watch k.. hope you guys will be inspired too!!
It was adapted from Xian Xinghai’s “Yellow River Cantata” in 1940… The Yellow River is seen as a persistent musical theme and also a metaphor for China – praising the glorious history of the Chinese nationality (zhonghua minzhu) and the persistent struggling spirit of the Chinese citizens; it bitterly criticizes the cruelties of the oppressors and the torment suffered by the Chinese people. Hoping to nourish a sense of belonging and concern, nationalists pulled on the nation’s musical heartstrings. According to Ellen Judd, in China’s cultural redefinition in the 1940s, the performing arts offered the peasantry a “persuasive presentation of a new conception of the world” (Judd 1986, 31). Think the period when this cantata was composed coincides with Mao Zedong’s 1942 Yan’sn Talks on Literature and Art stating the central principle that art should be based on, reflect, and serve “the people”.
I finally found a video of this Yellow River concerto performed in the 70s in China.. I thought the pianist did wonderfully in portraying the underlying musical significance…the historical, political and economical significance. He really has the fire when he plays.. must watch k.. hope you guys will be inspired too!!
The weird thing is this is suppose to be a western orchestra how come there is one pipa player inside
1st movt.: Yellow River Boatman’s Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uopB0QCgEqw
2nd movt.: Ode to the Yellow River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfdOyOb0Lr8&mode=related&search=
3rd movt.: Wrath of the Yellow River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gau1pYEhfz8&mode=related&search=
4th movt.: Defend the Yellow River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK2PyFKh2Ao&mode=related&search=
1st movt.: Yellow River Boatman’s Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uopB0QCgEqw
2nd movt.: Ode to the Yellow River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfdOyOb0Lr8&mode=related&search=
3rd movt.: Wrath of the Yellow River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gau1pYEhfz8&mode=related&search=
4th movt.: Defend the Yellow River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK2PyFKh2Ao&mode=related&search=
Anyone knows who is that guy on the portrait at the background can let me know? he dosent look like Mao.. this portrait was captured in the performance of the 4th movt.
2 comments:
Lots of fiery playing indeed! But notice also his 刚中有柔!
hahaha.. this reminds me of taiji quan and the martial arts
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