Bamboo Wind Chimes

Xinxian 心贤
Composed by Chenwei WANG 王辰威
Premiered by Raffles Institution Chinese Orchestra
14 Dec. 2007
Singapore Conference Hall
Conducted by Chenwei WANG

“Xinxian” was composed in memory of my late conductor Mr. YEO Puay Hian 杨培贤, who led me on my first step onto the path of Chinese music.

The title “Xinxian (心贤)” literally means “Heart of Virtue” in Chinese. At the same time “Xian” is the last word of Mr. Yeo Puay Hian’s name. (”Hian” is spelt as “Xian” in standard Chinese transliteration)

The piece opens with a warm and lyrical introduction, amidst the tinkling of the wind chimes and vibraphone. The erhu section brings out the main theme of “Xinxian”, meandering smoothly and gracefully across a backdrop of gentle broken chords. The harmony becomes richer and more instruments join in the melody, building up towards an emotional climax. The music then calms down, and the main theme is reprised with added counterpoint.

In the contrasting middle section a tune from Mr. Yeo’s composition “Rejoice (欢欣)” is quoted by the flute, evoking an image of Mr. Yeo once again elegantly raising his baton in front of the students. This image fades out until only the calm tolling of a bell remains. The orchestra reemerges from the depths, pushing the music towards a stately and majestic recapitulation of the main theme. The grandeur of the ending attests to Mr. Yeo’s eternal spirit and inextinguishable soul.

杨培贤老师2007年7月的病逝，令人深感悲痛。新加坡痛失一位华乐英杰，我们痛失一位敬爱的导师。我在莱佛士书院求学期间，杨老师任该校华乐团指挥。在他的细心指导下，我成为乐团的学生指挥，拙作《空弦》和《遨游东方》也得以在音乐厅上演。

感谢恩师杨培贤引领我迈出华乐道路上的第一步。谨以《心贤》敬献杨老师，寄托无限哀思，表达深切怀念。

曲名《心贤》有三个含义：
1. 引用杨老师名中的”贤”字；
2. 歌颂杨老师心地贤明；
3. 取谐音，形容杨老师的音乐”扣人心弦”。

《心贤》主题包含”2 3 1 5″四个音组成的音乐动机，及其逆行变奏 “5 1 4 3″ 贯穿全曲。

Duration : 0:5:38

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