JI-DONG-NUO
Chen Yi
About this work:
Commissioned by The Carnegie Hall Corporation.
The world premeire was given by Emanuel Ax in Birmingham Symphony Hall,
England on November 13, 2005.
The New York premiere was given by Emanuel Ax in Isaac Stern Auditorium,
Carnegie Hall, New York City on December 4, 2005.
Ji-Dong-Nuo is the name of a folk ballad of the Yao ethnic people in southwest China, borrowed from the name of a quail who sings beautiful tunes. According to legend, there was a girl who loved singing. However, she became unhappy after she married, since she had to stop singing under the order of her father. She was divorced because of her depression. On the way back home, she heard the happy bird singing on the hill, she changed her mood and broke out to sing a beautiful song. Her husband was deeply moved and loved her as before. The song has been passed on and given the title Ji-Dong-Nuo, to describe the beautiful story. My little piano solo piece was inspired by Ji-Dong-Nuo, drawing some pitch material from the folk tune, while keeping the characteristics of the girl and the style of Chinese traditional instrumental performance.
For the original Chinese folksong resource, please look at
< http://www.liuzhou.co.uk/yao.htm>
Version: Solo piano
Year composed: 2005
Duration: 00:04:00
Ensemble type: Keyboard:Piano
Instrumentation:
Instrumentation notes: Solo Piano, published by Theodore Presser Company.