About this work:
I. Introduction II. Meng Songs III. Zang Songs IV. Miao Dances Commissioned by the Metropolitan Wind Symphony (Lawrence Isaacson, Music Director) in 2005, the work Suite From China West for wind symphony is written in four movements, and premiered on May 18, 2008, conducted by Lewis J. Buckley at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA. The authentic folk music from China West has amazed and inspired the composer to write this piece, which has the folk music elements drawn from the folk songs Gadameilin and Pastoral of the Meng People; Ashima of the Yi People; Du Mu and Amaliehuo of the Zang People, and Dou Duo and the Lusheng ensemble music of the Miao People. Scored for Piccolo, 3 Flutes I, 3 Flutes II, Oboe I & II, English Horn, Bassoon I & II 3 B flat Clarinets I, 5 B flat Clarinets II, 5 B flat Clarinets III, 3 Bass Clarinets 2 Alto Saxophones I, 2 Alto Saxophones II, 2 Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Saxophone; 2 B flat Cornets I, 2 B flat Cornets II, 2 B flat Cornets III, 4 French Horns (I doubled), 2 Trombones I, 2 Trombones II, 2 Trombones III, 3 Euphoniums (I & II), 2 Tubas, String Bass 4 Percussionists: (Timpani, Percussion 1: Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, and Tom-tom, Percussion 2: Bass Drum, Small Bell, and Snare Drum , Percussion 3: Tam-tam, Suspended Cymbal, and Triangle)
Alt. version for SATBB saxophone ensemble is in three movements: I. Introduction, II. Zahg Songs, III. Miao Dances. Premiered at the 18th World Saxophone Congress held in July 2018 in Zagreb, Croatia. Commissioned and performed by 16 saxophone professors from music institutes in China. They are: Ao Kun, Cui Ronghan, Fan Hefeng, Fan Shurui, Feng Zeyu, Huang Jian, Lin Yafei, Lv Yukun, Li Manlong, Li Yusheng, Li Zhiyuan, Shi Huasong, Shao Weiping, Wang Heng, Yang Tong, and Zhang Guoqiang.