05/17/09
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Butterfly Lovers (梁祝) |
| In the past few years,
several Lighters have recommended to us many highbrow classic music pieces
by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and etc. I am deeply impressed
by their knowledge, taste, style, polish and sophistication. However, as a
Chinese, I would like to suggest a recent (1959) Chinese “classic” music
“Butterfly Lovers” by two Chinese composers, Chen Gang (陳鋼) and He Zhanhao
(何占豪) while they were students at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. It was first performed by a classmate of theirs 俞麗拿 in 1959 at the peak of the anti-right movement, approved then by a brave, farsighted party secretary of the school. Resoundingly denounced, the composers were sent to countryside for reeducation. But it was played underground and was loved by many. It got revived and became popular after the culture revolution. It even has induced many to learn violin in China. 俞麗拿, hitting 70, performed early this year to a full audience in Shanghai to commemorate its 50th anniversary. While written in the western music scale, it incorporates many Chinese melodies and patterns; therefore it is easier for both Chinese and Westerner to appreciate. This was the first Chinese piece performed by a Chinese conductor received a standing ovation at Hollywood Bowl. Outside of China, in addition to a Chinese violinist 盛中国 who performed close to ten thousand times in Australia, ironically a Japanese violinist Nishizaki Takako (西崎崇子) popularized this piece by selling close to 10 million copies of this music and gave it the English name of “Butterfly Lovers.” I only wish it is a cheerful piece at this time of financial crisis and H1N1 flu pandemic. Reflecting a tragedy, it has a somber or melancholy tune. Many (both Chinese and Westerners) have broken into tears at the performances. My wife Winnie would not let me play it repeatedly as it depresses her. My knowledge in music is limited, or naïve at the best. So instead of I telling you more about it, you can read about, and listen to it yourself: Reading in English:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_Lovers%27_Violin_Concerto |
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