Ray Lin - Impressions of the Four Seasons

East meets West in this new work by Ray Lin: an award-winning composer, conductor, arranger, and orchestrator for concert hall and screen, whose music has been performed and broadcast in the US, China and New Zealand, as well as across Australia. ‘As a composer of Chinese background,’ he says, ‘I’ve always had a great desire to write and share music that connects the cultures of my homeland China, and Australia where I am educated and have lived for more than a decade.’

Impressions of the Four Seasons is a celebration of the multiculturalism that enriches Australia’s social and musical landscape. The instruments from the two cultures – dizi and xiao (two kinds of flute) and guzheng (zither) from China, and the Western piano and cello, plus percussion from both traditions – complement each other and produce flavours and aesthetics that neither could create alone. The composition also draws on the Chinese musical aesthetic of ‘Yun’: giving emotions and movements to a note after it has been sounded.

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Each movement, says Lin, captures ‘a distinct aspect of the seasons that resonates with me, reimagining some of my fondest childhood memories through a musical lens.’ He begins with a magical evocation of winter in Snowing Like a Dream: the sheer elegance of the falling snow, from the initial anticipation of the first flakes to the immersive experience of being surrounded by a winter wonderland. The Joy of Spring embraces the enduring spirit of hope, renewal and optimism of the Lunar New Year, a time of festive family gatherings, of celebrating the achievements of the previous year and looking forwards to the opportunities of the year to come. The Rhythm of Summer is inspired by the energy of dragon boat racing, the paddles striking the water in unison to drive the boats forward past a sea of cheering spectators along the riverbank. Finally, The Autumn Night Breeze offers a moment of reflection and calm, recalling leisurely strolls on warm, gentle autumn evenings, as nature gracefully transitions towards the quiet of winter.

Tracklist

1      I. Snowing like a Dream

2      II. Joy of the Spring

3      III. The Rhythm of Summer

4      IV. The Autumn Breeze

Artists

Ziwei Wang (dizi / xiao)

Yuren (Cara) Shen (guzheng)

Daniel Shearer (cello)

Yizheng (Sean) Cai (piano)

Anna Kho (percussion)

Posted 19 Apr 2024