Flower reflected in the mirror and the moon reflected in the water means the mood cannot be traced physically; the metaphor is virtual and ethereal. Through the story of Yuanming Tao’s “Record of Peach Blossom”, the composer tries to use music to describe the modern people’s pursuit of their dreams and future though self-reflection and exploration.

The music is divided into four sections, each of which is centred on the “Sheng”, which is an ancient wind instrument. The composer uses it to represent the “human”, and with each piece, it is paired with another main instrument in harmony. The rest are accompaniment instruments.

“Flower” (Gourd Sheng and Pipa) describes flower clusters in the peach garden with singing and dancing. Although the flowers are beautiful and fragrant, they cannot be preserved forever. The same is true for our beautiful memory. Should we continue searching for the flowers in our memory, or put them in the deepest part of our heart?
(Trans: Kiah Mok Goh/edit: PChan)