TANG Jian-Ping: Spring and Autumn (Part 3/3)

Pipa: LAN Weiwei / Little Giant Chinese Chamber Orchestra, Tien-Ku Percussion Group / CHEN Chih-Sheng / Zhongshan Hall, Taipei, Taiwan 2005.9.18.

The composer, TANG Jian-Ping, was commissioned by the International Confucian Association to create a work based on the theme “Ode to a Thousand Years” for a solo recital by young pipa virtuoso WU Yuxia. The concert commemorated the 2545th anniversary of Confucius’ birth. The piece “Spring and Autumn” premiered at the Beijing Concert Hall on October 7, 1994, with the China National Traditional Orchestra. Following frequent performances afterwards, it gained widespread acclaim and became a significant piece in the modern Chinese pipa concerto repertoire. Since this commission commemorated Confucius, the theme and content of the work were related to him. However, this does not necessarily mean that the music must depict the entire life and deeds of Confucius. History through music can be narrative or expressive, and traditional Chinese music possesses exceptional works in both these areas. The spirit of this work, the Confucian rite and music concept of “great music is in harmony with heaven and earth, great ritual is in harmony with heaven and earth,” had a significant influence on the composition. The composer embodies Confucian rites and music through the broad realm of viewing music as equal to heaven and earth. (Edit: Patty Chan)