Music: Sun Mar 25

Melody of Dragon returns to CUUC with a program of traditional Chinese music. Read on for programming details, background on the group and the specifics works performed.

Melody of Dragon:         

                                                                                   

                                                                       

Centering Music:   Melody of Dragon-- Chen, Tao (dizi); Xia, Wen-Jie (erhu); Liu, Li (ruan)

In A Festive Mood

Jasmine Flower         

                                                            Folk Songs

Raindrops on the Plantain

                                                Cantonese

Opening Music:

The Purple Bamboo:            

                                    Silk & Bamboo Music

Music for All Ages: with Melody of Dragon

Offertory:

Autumn Moon over the Placid Lake

                                                            Cantonese

Interlude:

Journey to Gusu                                                                   

Jiang  Xian-Wei

Postlude:
Step By Step             

                                                Cantonese

About the Music:

1. In A Festive Mood                                     Folk Song

A popular song in East China. It’s often played at festivals, celebrations or any joyous gatherings.

2. Jasmine Flower                                                                              Folk Song

Famous folk tune with beautiful melody, a tasty song of Silk & Bamboo music style.

3. Raindrops on the Plantain                                                           Cantonese Music

One of the most popular compositions from the early period of Cantonese instrumental music, this piece abounds with the beauty of southern China.  The lively rhythm evokes the sounds of raindrops falling on the plantain leaves as the tree sway in the breeze.

4. The Purple Bamboo                                              Silk & Bamboo Music

This lively tune is a folk song popular south of the Yangtze River. Traditionally, the main melody is played alternately by the dizi, the strings and the plucking instruments and is an example of the Silk & Bamboo Music.

5. Autumn Moon over the Placid Lake                    Cantonese Music

Cantonese music is a distinctive school of Chinese folk music. It is highly descriptive, characterized by vitality and inventiveness and usually played by a small group where each player extemporizes on the same tune and the leader, playing the goad, sets the pace. Set in the great seaports of southern China, Cantonese music was exposed early to western influences.

6. Journey to Gusu                                                                Jiang  Xian-Wei

Elegantly rounded tones and fluid melodic phrases capture the scenic beauty of the Jiangnan region.

7. Step by Step:                                                         Cantonese Music

This piece is drawn from the Cantonese School of Music, a regional school of Chinese folk music. It is highly descriptive, characterized by vitality and inventiveness and usually played by a small group when each player extemporizes on the same tune and the leader, playing the gaohu, sets the pace.

About Melody of Dragon:
Melody of Dragon, Inc., a Chinese music ensemble based in New York City, was founded in 1998, by four virtuoso musicians from the leading conservatories in China in order to introduce and promote Chinese musical repertory in the United States. The ultimate purpose of Melody of Dragon is to build a bridge of musical and cultural exchange between China and the United States.
Melody of Dragon maintains a full itinerary of concert performances and educational programs for schools and the general public. The members of Melody of Dragon are Chen Tao, master of the dizi (Chinese bamboo flute) and the ensemble's director; Chen Sisi , world-class soloist of the yangqin (hammered dulcimer); Zhang Bao-Li, master of the erhu (two-string fiddle); Liu li, renown performer of the guqin (ancient seven-string zither).

For more info, please visit: http://www.melodyofdragon.org/