East Meets West, Western and Chinese Favourites

Featuring Angel Wang Corey Gemmell Claudio Vena Paul Widner

PROGRAMME “Por Una Cabeza”, Carlos Gardel (music) and Alfredo La Pera (lyrics) Argentinian actor, singer, songwriter and composer, Carlos Gardel, was a tango legend who achieved super star status in his lifetime. Of his hundreds of these mini masterpieces “Por una Cabeza” is perhaps the most popular in North America currently having been featured in several films, most notably “Scent of a Woman”, “Schindler’s List” and “True Lies”. Since its release in 1935 it has been a favourite of ballroom dancers everywhere. The title is a literal translation of the horse racing term “By a Head”.

“Humming Chorus”, from Madama Butterly, G. Puccini Madama Butterly, one of the most beloved operas of all time, is based on a play by David Belasco which Puccini saw in 1904. Although the play was in English and he didn’t understand a word he did grasp, and was moved to tears by, the plot. It is the story of a 15 year old geisha who enters into a marriage contract with an American naval officer who abandons her. Pure of heart, she waits for his return for several years. One day his ship appears in the harbour. The humming chorus (“Coro a boca chiusa”) is actually hummed offstage while Butterfly keeps vigil throughout the night awaiting his arrival.

“Dance of the Yao People”, Liu Tieshan, Mao Yuan Drawing on the folk song traditions of the Chinese Yao people, Liu Tieshan composed “Long Drum Dance of the Yao People” in 1951. In 1952 Mao Yuan created an orchestral arrangement of this work. One of the most famous Chinese compositions of the 20th century it was originally composed for western instruments, but is now more often played on traditional Chinese instruments, for solo guzheng, for example. Arrangements of the song have featured prominently in both China and the American pop music culture. The opening notes of “When You Believe”, recorded by Witney Houston and Mariah Carey, are based on this work.

“Galloping Horses”, Chen Yaoxing This work, composed in 1976, was inspired by Inner Mongolia, horses and soldiers on horseback running through the forest. It was originally written for erhu, a 2 stringed, bowed, instrument played in a vertical position. It has been arranged for violin in this version which clearly imitates the sound of the racing horses.

“Song of Red Star”, Fu Geng Chen This song was featured in a Chinese film by the same name. Set against the background of the War II Japanese invasion of the small villages of north eastern China in 1939, It is a poignant story of a young village boy who later becomes a soldier to protect his people. This film was produced, during the nascent days of that industry in China, has attained legendary status.

“Intermezzo”, from Cavallaria Rusticana, P. Mascagni An intermezzo is often an orchestral work performed between acts of an opera (‘entr’acte’ or, literally, ‘in the middle’). But “Cavallaria Rusticana” is a one act opera composed as a submission to a competition for one act operas. It premiered in Rome in 1890, won the first prize, and was an instant and resounding success. It remains in the standard repertory of every major opera company world wide, often performed as part of a double bill (Cav and Pag) with “I Pagliacci”, by R. Leoncavallo. The intermezzo is played at a point in the plot when the stage is empty, thereby focusing attention on the music. It has also become famous as a solo, much loved concert gem. The melody was also used by Mascagni in an arrangement of “Ave Maria”.