YANHUANG FENGQINGChinese Sights and Sounds Twenty-four Pieces on Chinese Folk tunes for OrchestraComposed by Bao Yuan-kai Premiered by Tianjin Symphony Orchestra in October 13th,1991 conducted by Wang Jun-shi, the work includes six suites based on folk songs which enjoy great popularity around the country and composed with bright and colorful Western orchestral timbre unfolding pictures suggesting traditional life among the Han Chinese.? Since its premier in 1991, the work has been performed to acclaim not only in China but also in the world of music beyond China, thus listed on top of performance frequency of Chinese Orchestral Works. Beginning in 1995, after examination and approval by the Education Ministry, “Yanhuang Fengqing” has been an integral component of music education in both elementary schools and secondary schools throughout China.?The piece is considered a vital contribution to students' appreciation of nationality traditions.? Suite 1. Yan Zhao gu shi Hebei Folk SongsStories on the Lands of Ancient Yan and Zhao 1. Xiaobaicai:_Little Cabbage This very popular folk song concerns a boy who was ill-treated by his stepmother and about the boy’s yearning for his birth Mother. Apart from the touching melody, the strings are highlighted to express the boy's sorrow and deep memory of his mother at the time of her burial. The melody in the middle section is newly composed, based on another Heibei folk song, "Crying at the Daybreak", to emphasis the boy's sob, helpless sighs and also brief yearn for the future. In the end, while the tune of “Little Cabbage” returns replete with illusion and imagination, the violin brings listeners into the misty paradise which the poor boy so painfully puts his hope. 2. Xiaofangniu: The Little Cowherd This popular tune adapted from the countryside Song & Dance genre has also been re-arranged for Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera. One morning riding his cow in the bright sunshine surrounded by a gentle fresh breeze, the little cowherd blew his horn leisurely. When he approached the village edge, a girl asked him to show her the way. When the boy tested her with a series of questions as requirement for directing her, the intelligent girl replied readily and fluently. The two sang and danced together happily. The piece uses countered timbre to illustrate the light-hearted nature of their relationship, and this amusing exchange is pushed to climax by the full orchestra.3. Molihua: Jasmine Songs named "Jasmine" can be found all over China, especially in the eastern provinces. This elegant and delicate melody is from the composer’s hometown Cangzhou in Heibei Province. The tune is first played by the violins, followed by the violas, describing how a girl fancies herself as a jasmine flower. When the melody plays duet with another tune, listeners detect a theme of praise to romantic love. At length, the music turns contemplative, ending with a bit of melancholy. 4. Duihua: A Dialogue of FlowersThe format of questions and answers is often found in folk songs and themes related to flower names sung according to the different seasons are quite common. The theme of Duiha is adopted from Cangzhou，and the other theme in the middle section，called "Flying the Kite" is also from Cangzho. The changing rhythms, contrasted tone colors and frequent dynamic shifts convey a joyful, jubilant picture. Chains of repeated tones sounds are like an enthusiastic crowd cheering the singers. An inserted slow section imitates girls dancing Lianhua Lao with bamboo clappers in their hands.Suite 2. Yun Ling su miaoYunnan Folk SongsSketches of the Highland of Yuannan 1.Xiaohe Tangshui: Flowing StreamThis Yunnan love song harmonizes emotion and scenery, describing how much a girl is missing her lover on a softly moonlit night. Different instruments evoke the scenery, such as the string instruments playing dimly in the high register to represent the moonlit night, while the piano, harp and celesta’s tinkling sounds represent the flowing stream. The touching melody is first played by English horn, then by flute. When the full string ensemble plays in unison, the low register section, representing the boy, is echoed by playing at half speed of the same melody, bringing the love song to its emotional pinnacle. 2. Fang Ma shange: Song of WranglersThis popular Yunnan folk song describes how herdsmen graze their horses on the pasture land and mountain. It also shows the bold and straightforward character of the herdsmen. The percussions and the glissando of the violins are used to mimic the sounds of horse bells, hoofs and whips as well as the herdsmen urging their mounts. Another tune with slow tempo and sweet melody appears in the middle section, suggesting the peacefulness of the herdsmen when they take a break from their labors. 3. Yu bu sa hua hua bu hong: Flowers Would Not Blossom Without Rain This well-known Yunnan folk song is presented in pun form, in which the girl is like a cluster of flowers and her lover is like a dragon in the sky. The lyrics convey emotion, and the melody is lovely. Triplet patterns, symbolizing raindrops, are used throughout. Bassoon, clarinet and piccolo are played one after another, as well as string and woodwind instruments alternately, all combining to perform this fascinating melody. 4. Caidiao: Song of Riddles “Caidiao” is a children's folk rhyme from Yunnan in form of a tongue twister. The song depicts the manner in which two sisters engage with each other by way of questions and answers. The playful argument reflected in their banter is manifest by the bright timbre of the woodwinds and vivid rhythm provided by the string’s pizzicato. The midsection of the piece borrows a graceful melody of another Yunnan folk song "Anningzhou". Suite 3. Huang tu bei huanShaanxi Folk SongsSadness and Happiness on the Yellow Soil Highland 1.Nuwa danshui: A Girl Carrying Water This is a theme and variations based on a Shaanxi Folksong about a country girl's hard life in the distant pass.The girl's inner feelings and state of mind and heart are probed from several perspectives. The theme and the first two variations show her to be sad and miserable, the third variation finds her melancholy, the fourth variation reveals her powerlessness to mount resistance against misery. Though the last variation returns to the miserable main theme, it appeared even weaker than before. 2.Fuqi douqu: The Amusing Couple This original folk song features two characters---husband and wife---who are cheerfully making fun each other musically. The san-xian, a three-stringed Chinese plucked instrument and the banhu (two bows string instrument) symbolize the couple respectively. Discord from the piano and amusing color from a small gong, as well as the opposing chromatic tonalities, and dislocation of the rhythms enhance the humor of the piece. 3. Zou Jiangzhou: Going to Jiangzhou This folk song popular in Shaanxi and Shanxi highlights a cheerful man humming while walking with brisk steps, carrying a pole on his shoulder as he approaches Jiangzhou. A light-hearted tune on the banhu, illustrates the beautiful country scenery, is matched by drone of the violin, which imitates the steady rhythmic motion of his shoulder pole. 4.Lan Huahua: Lady Lan Huahua This ballad, which originated in Northern Shaanxi Province, is popular throughout China. It concerns a brave girl called Lan Huahua who dares protest against the feudalistic traditions that forbade young females from having any say about whom their fathers chose for their future husband. Her struggle ended in tragedy by costing her life. The music begins with the oboe and cello, suggesting the passionate devotion between the girl and her lover. Next come the brass and strings, symbolizing her wrath and resentment. A kettle drum and wailing gong foreshadow the tragic ending, as each repeated depressing drum beat is struck more and more slowly, leaving behind only a faint call. Suite 4. Ba Shu shan geSichuan Folk SongsMountain Songs of the Ancient States Ba and Shu 1.Huaihua jishi kai: When Do Sophora Flowers Bloom Sichuan people are known for their diligence, straightforwardness and humor. This typical Sichuan folk song introduces a young girl pining for her lover. When her mother asks what she is looking at, the shy maiden unwilling to tell the truth, makes a slight detour from straightforward, replies that she was wondering when sophora tree will bloom. The text is tactful and thrilling, with an the amusing and unique melody that is played by the oboe, horn, string instruments, flute and English horn respectively, while the harmony in different tonality provide the background as if picturing the village scenery from near to far, separately and together to intriguing effect. 2. Huangyang biandan: Yellow Poplar Shoulder Pole This Sichuan folk song features a young man carrying a load of rice to Qiuzhou. When he reaches Qiuzhou, he notices a group of girls combing their hair and decking out. The music begins with a full orchestra to portray the strong healthy young man’s appearance, while a mountain song duet in the middle of the piece depicts the leisurely and relaxed mood during his rest. 3. Xiu hebao Embroider a Pouch Pouch embroidering is a very popular theme in Chinese folk songs. Such songs illustrate the excitement and shyness of young girls when embroidering pouch for their sweethearts. The music begins with the string quartet, later followed occasionally by the woodwinds with ornamented glissando by the harp, as well as cadenza phrases by the flute, suggestive of the needle and threads running in the girl’s fingers. 4.Taiyang Chulai Xiyangyang: Happy Sunrise This lively and straightforward folk song from Sichuan Province describes the happiness and pride of firewood cutters when climbing up the hills to work. Full orchestra tutti is played throughout, with yelling brass, transit from constrain to outburst of the strings, as well as the wild beating of the kettledrums reflected and strengthened the masculine spirit. Suite 5. Jiang nan yu siJiangsu Folk Songs Drizzle in the South 1. Wuxi Jing: Wuxi Scenery Wuxi in Jiangsu Province is not only famous for its beautiful scenery but also renown as a source of inspiration for poets, painters, and musicians. "Moon Reflected in Two Streams" and “Wuxi Jing” are both well-known tunes about Wuxi. This orchestral version of the folk song uses graceful woodwinds and the dim timbre of the strings to depict the charming scenery. 2. Yangliuqing: Green Willow This animated and brisk Yangzhou folk song–--so named because it uses "green willow" as a foil in the lyrics is changeable, with humorous and cheerful words. Pizzicato is played by all strings throughout the entire piece, beginning from two parts and increasing to encompass the whole. Pizzicato is even used to imitate the rhythm of the folk gongs and drums. The delightful and witty joking tone of the melody is thus fully expressed. 3. Bagen Luchaihua: Pulling out a Reed Catkin This folk song from Jiangdu County is always sung when farmers transplant rice seedlings in the rice fields. The title “Pulling out a Reed Catkin” is a foil in the lyrics. Accompanied by the strings in pizzicato and the ringing beat of small drums, the tune is played by the piano and flute respectively to represent the beautiful Jiangnan scenery.4. Zizhudiao: Purple Bamboo-flute Tune Zizhudiao was an especially popular love xiao diao (small tune) in Suzhou towns and later became a qu pai (labeled melody) of Huju Shanghai local opera. The lyric is veiled and amusing. Accompanied by arpeggio of the harp, the melody is played by the strings , erhu, pipa and qudi in the style of Jiangnansizu.Suite 6. Taihang chun qiuShanxi Folk SongsSeasons in Taihang Mountains1. Zou Xikou: Going to West Pass Popular in Shanxi, Northern Shaanxi, and Western Inner Mongolia, this folk song references the migration of poor people from the Highlands leaving home to seek a livelihood. Sung in different places, the folk song usually has the same content fixed with various styles of music. The predominant melody here is adopted from the Shanxi xiaodiao (little tune), with its theme of the sad separation between two lovers. Their lingering sentimental whispers and deep sorrow are expressed by the sad timbre of the strings and the precise alternated polyphony provided by the orchestra. 2.Nao Yuanxiao: Happy Lantern Festival This Shanxi folk song expresses the happiness and excitement of people celebrating the Lantern Festival. The introductory brass and tune played by suona (double-reed shawm ) entice the listeners into an atmosphere of festive joy. While immersed in the joyful night, people heard a soft and emotional tune "Embroidering Pouch" inflow slowly into their heart, reflecting the unique sentiment of missing dear relatives and friends far away during this annual nation-wide observance. 3. Pashan diao: A Tune of Mountain Climbing Popular in Hequ, in Shanxi Province, and in Wuchuan, in Inner Mongolia, Pashan diao is also known by name of Shanqu (“Mountain Tune” ).Regardless of title, the structure of mountain tunes is similar to that of Xintianyou from Northern Shaanxi Province. Both versions feature sanban (scattered beat) of two phrases, and they share a main theme of love. This orchestral piece combines two mountain tunes which reflect the way that young villagers express their love by singing mountain songs. 4. Kan Yangge Going to Watch Yangge Dance Yangge is a country song -and -dance genre popular in the villages of Northern China. The most famous Yangge in Shanxi Province is the Taigu Yangge, characterized by its ballad songs and short plays. This Kan Yangge portrays two sisters who encounter a variety of unexpected adventures as they travel on their way to watch a Yangge Dance. Percussions played enthusiastically in typical local flavor are highlighted and propel the music to a rousing climax.
