Cello Concerto
“Flowing Sleeves”
(2018) | 28 minutes
Commissioned by The Hangzhou Philharmonic
SCORING* picc.2.2.2.2 / 4231 / timp / 2 perc (glock, xyl, vib, crotale, cymbals, tamtam, SD, BD) / cel / hp / solo vc / str
*Reduction option: The work can be performed with the following reduced instrumentation: 2222 / 2200 / timp. / 1 perc. / (hp) / solo vc / str.
Also available: version for cello and piano quintet arranged by the composer
PREMIERE 2 July 2018 at Hangzhou Grand Theatre, Hangzhou, China, by Jian Wang and the Hangzhou Philharmonic conducted by Yang Yang. Subscription premiere: 15 August 2019 at Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, by Jian Wang and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jessica Cottis
Watch
Jian Wang, cello, with the Hangzhou Philharmonic conducted by Yang Yang
Programme Note
Brush. Lift. Reflect. Dance. These four movements shape Flowing Sleeves, my cello concerto inspired by the costumes of Chinese opera.
Traditionally, Chinese opera performers use long white silk sleeves—known as “flowing sleeves”—to create gestures that mirror the inner emotions of their characters. Whether through a light toss, a gentle brush, or a playful lift, these mesmerizing motions become an extension of the body and a powerful vehicle for expression.
Inspired, I set out to create a set of sonic “flowing sleeves,” with the cello as the musical protagonist. Just as the flowing sleeves are extensions of the performer, so too is the instrument an extension of the musician’s body and mind — with sound shaped by the intricate movement of fingers and arms.
The concerto unfolds in four movements—Brush, Lift, Reflect, and Dance—each evoking a distinct expressive world and musical character.
©Zhou Tian
周 天（1981-）
大提琴协奏曲《水袖》（2018）
I. 拂
II. 挑
III. 影
IV. 舞
时长：28分钟
水袖，是中国传统戏曲中的一种独特的表演形式。不同的水袖动作，可表达各种不同的喜怒哀乐的感情。水袖灵巧多变，形态优美，故亦独立发展成一种舞蹈类型 。我的大提琴协奏曲《水袖》就是从这种独特的表演形式中得到灵感，以大提琴与乐队的对话来演绎一场如行云流水般的中国古典式浪漫。水袖如同身体的一种延伸，通过手的一扬一顿，一抛一洒来传达人物的思想感情。而相似地，独奏家将大提琴作为自己心灵的延伸，通过双手在弓弦上的来去起伏中传达着想要抒发的情感。两种表演形式，一东一西，亦虚亦实， 通过《拂》、《挑》、《影》、《舞》四个乐章，让古老的中国文化在管弦乐的意境中展现开来…
《水袖》为王健先生而作， 由杭州爱乐乐团委约。
周 天
“他的音乐语言丰富，华丽，有着无限的变化，有时甚至美丽至极…这部作品值得成为大提琴协奏曲的经典之作。”
—马克·罗切斯特，新加坡《海峡时报》乐评
Reviews
“The musical language was rich, opulent, luxurious, infinitely varied and, at times, profoundly beautiful.
[Jian] Wang is a compelling advocate of the work and his performance shone with an almost mystical intensity. Conductor Jessica Cottis’ own jacket sleeves looked tight and restrictive, but her hands seemed to mould the orchestra around every nuance and gesture Wang produced.
This was a lovely performance of what deserves to become a classic of the cello concerto repertory.”
—Marc Rochester, the Straits Times (Singapore)
Works for cello
- Cello Concerto “Flowing Sleeves”
- Flowing Sleeves (cello & piano quintet version)
- Cadence (cello quartet)
- Rhyme (solo cello)
- Ye (two cellos & piano)
- Piano Trio
- Viaje (flute, cello & piano)
- Hidden Grace (flute, cello & harp)
- A Crown for Sonia (voice, cello & piano)