related works
My Skeletonized Portrait : for violin and orchestra / Edward Top
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Violin and orchestra
Scoring:
vl-solo 3fl 2ob eh 2cl cl-b 2fg cfg 4h 3trp 2trb trb-b tb timp 3perc hp cel str
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and instrument(s)
Scoring:
sopr fl perc xyl vibr g vla
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and instrument(s)
Scoring:
bar(recit) 2h 2trp 2trb perc cb
Wagner's Dreams : for baritone, string trio and piano / René Samson; text by Alissa Valles
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and instrument(s)
Scoring:
bar vn vla vc pf
composition
Farewell Songs : for countertenor, Baroque ensemble, and Chinese instruments / Edward Top
Other authors:
Top, Edward
(Composer)
Description:
The Farewell Songs present an alternate history of true exchange between ancient Chinese instruments and the early-music practice of the European Baroque ensemble on the shores of Canada in 2024.
In addition, a countertenor sings texts from Tang dynasty poets Mèng Hàorán and Wang Wei. These texts are freely interpreted and translated into English by the composer. Earlier translations of these texts were used by Gustav Mahler in his song cycle Das Lied von der Erde. Part of the idea in the Farewell Songs is how French and German translations (as available to Mahler 120 years ago), numerous English versions, and now a direct Google translation of the original Chinese, have created a multiplicity of references and interpretations of the texts.
The original Chinese poems are narrated by erhu player Lan Tung during the performance, bringing it back to the ‘purity’ of its original intentions. Similarly, the music oscillates between Chinese and Baroque music, and contemporary musical elements; between the accuracy of historic practice and the freely creative (re)-interpretation of it.