The Economic Engine
Neil Rolnick
About this work:
As an observer from the other side of the globe, I have often seen China described as “the economic engine of the 21st century.” In my 4 visits to China from 2005-2008, as I’ve gone about having my music performed, I’ve been struck by the energy and industry of the people I’ve interacted with, and by the lightening-fast pace of change which seems to impact everything I see.
In The Economic Engine I’ve tried to make sonic representations of four of the many manifestations of how dramatic economic growth has impacted the life I’ve observed on my visits.
The piece begins by considering some of the artifacts of China’s emerging status as one of the driving engines of the international economy. The four movements are called “Traffic,” “Farm to Factory,” “Opaque Air” and “Hutong to Highrise.” The video footage which accompanies the music documents the responses of three Beijing-based video artists to the growing Chinese economy. The videos include performances of “Magic” by Si Man, “Economic Growth” by Xue Liming, and “RMB” by Wang Chuyu.
The Economic Engine is scored for a double quartet of stringed instruments: four traditional Chinese instruments (erhu, yangqin, guzheng and pipa) and a classical western string quartet (2 violins, viola and cello). All of the instruments are digitally processed in the performance. The video footage was assembled and produced by Cindy Ng Sio Ieng and performed and processed in coordination with the musical score by Adam Kendall.
For more of my thoughts about my recent experiences visiting China, take a look at http://www.arts-electric.org
The Economic Engine was commissioned by the China Electronic Music Center at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China. Additional support for this project was received from the Asian Cultural Council, Meet the Composers’ Global Connections Program, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s MCAF and Production Grant Programs, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Cindy Ng Sio Ieng’s participation in the project was supported by the Macao Culture Department.
video footage by Cindy Ng Sio Ieng
video manipulation and performance by Adam Kendall
Year composed: 2008
Duration: 00:25:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 6-9 players
Instrumentation: 2 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Computer/Laptop, 4 Uncategorized
Instrumentation notes: "uncategorized" is: erhu, yangqin, guzheng and pipa