Mellifluous Monday! (2)

Hi everyone! Sorry for not posting for more than 2 weeks :( Have been really busy with a recent gig that was just over. Many thoughts went through my mind after the gig but hey that is a story for another day.

 With a little free time available, I'm back for your weekly Mellifluous Monday! pleasure. Today I will be introducing everyone a grand Chinese Orchestral piece composed by maestro 姜莹 (Jiang Ying),     <印象国乐> or  <Impressions Of Chinese Music>. It was composed in 2013 for a play named "Impressions Of Chinese Music". You would think this piece, like most other Chinese Orchestra piece, contains many traditional Chinese music writings with chord progressions under the Chinese genre. Nope, this piece contains many fusion writings with mixtures from Chinese, Western and Middle Eastern writings. Hear it for yourself!
Link: 印象国乐

According to the maestro herself, she composed this piece with 5 big factors in mind,

1: "Who are the owners of the music?"
Musicians owned music with every rights, not the audience. Viewers should respect musicians for their hard-work. How a music is able to touch the audience is not entirely based on techniques or music dynamic. It is solely based on the experiences, the journey, the feelings that musicians went through.

With this in mind, maestro Jiang Ying wrote many melodic phrases that allow musicians to freely express his/her thoughts or experience. Conductors are also given the freedom to interpret however they like while staying true to the music. Musicians no longer need to hide behind their instruments and being lead by the audience.

2: "Chinese music is something to be passed on"
Maestro Jiang Ying used many music writings from various genres and regions. This was a bold attempt as many Chinese composers do not there to westernize Chinese music in fear of losing it's integrity. To stay true to this. maestro Jiang Ying made used of the word "Grand" and wrote it for Chinese Orchestra, showing that Chinese Culture and Chinese music is versatile and can be used in many ways.

3: "Chinese music is a mission"
By using Chinese instruments to produce "Grand" music, one is able to feel the ups and downs of the music, the never ending chills down one's spine and melodic phrases that can make one cry in happiness.

4: "Beauty of music does not need to be read"
Maestro Jiang Ying attempted to tell audiences that "If music can go across your ears' it has the ability to carve yours heart; to make one's fast paced life come to a pause and enjoy the beauties around it".

5: "Reviving Chinese music roots"
While it is true that many westernize music writings are used, hidden behind those notes lie subtle Chinese music style of writings. Showing that while music can be changed and adapted, the roots are firmly rooted to the core to glorify Chinese music.

I personally love this piece a lot and would put this as my top 10 Chinese Orchestra piece of all time. Many times when I feel tired or lost the sense of direction, this piece never fails to remind me of my culture and who I'm playing for. That's all for today's Mellifluous Monday! Do feel free to leave comments below on how you feel about this piece and what kind of pieces would you like me to introduce next time. See ya!

Music: 10/10
Difficulty: 7/10

P.S Maestro Jiang Ying has many well knowned compositions. Do check it out!