Beijing Drum

This work was inspired by traditional Chinese Shuo Chang (story-telling) and Jing Yun Da Gu ('Big Drum in Peking Style' - an operatic form that originated around Beijing in the early twentieth century). The solo pipa acts as the narrator, telling the story through the contrast between high, rolling notes and uplifting folk tunes. This concerto is exciting and lively, and it showcases the pipa as a virtuosic solo instrument.

The concerto begins with high notes and glissandi in the pipa (a plucked string instrument), interspersed with responses from the gu (drum) and ban (clapper). Through the use of harmonics and rolling on the pipa, the music creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the traditional Shuo Chang (story-telling) style. A calmer section follows, featuring a jubilant pipa melody interposed with bells, which gradually picks up momentum before leading into a cadenza. By beating the body of the instrument, the pipa soloist leads the piece to a thrilling rhythmic climax in which the pipa competes with the orchestral percussion, before returning to the opening atmosphere.

Orchestration: pipa solo, 2 fl (I&II+picc), 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bn, 4 hn, 2 tpt, 2 tbn (with extension) 3 perc, str (min. players: 14.12.10.10.8.) Percussion: 1. xylo, set drums, temple blocks (5), crash cym, sus cym, Chinese bells (2'), Large Chinese gong. 2. SD, tom-tom, wblk (large), sus cym, small Chinese gong (7'), wind gong. 3. BD (on side), wblk (high), tam-tam, medium Chinese gong (12'), Chimes (tubular)