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
Also available: version for cello and piano quintet arranged by the composer
PREMIERE
2 July 2018, at Hangzhou Grand Theatre (opening concert of the 2018 Hangzhou International Music Festival), Hangzhou, China, by Jian Wang, solo cello, and the Hangzhou Philharmonic conducted by Yang Yang
Subscription premiere 15 August 2019 at Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, by Jian Wang, solo cello, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jessica Cottis
Watch
Timestamp
I. Brush (0:00) II. Lift (9:48) III. Reflect (13:44) IV. Dance (23:25)
Programme Note
The inspiration for my cello concerto came from “flowing sleeves,” a type of costume and performance practice in traditional Chinese opera in which a performer uses extended, white silk sleeves to create different movements reflective of the inner thoughts of the characters. Whether it’s a light toss, a gentle brush, or a playful lift, the mesmerizing movements of the long sleeves become an extension of the performer’s body and a vehicle to transport different emotions.
Inspired, I set out to create a set of sonic “flowing sleeves,” with the cello being the musical protagonist. In fact, much like the “flowing sleeves” in Chinese opera, for a musician, the instrument is an extension of the body and mind, and the music is expressed through sophisticated movements of the fingers and arms. The interplay of the two artistic traditions fascinates me. The four movements of the concerto, Brush, Lift, Reflect, and Dance, present four different characteristics of music. Together, the concerto strives to explore a dynamic palette of colors and timbre — some romantic, some wild — through an intimate dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra.
Cello Concerto “Flowing Sleeves” was written for Jian Wang through a commission from the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra.
— 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)
Other Media
Works for cello
- Cello Concerto “Flowing Sleeves”
- Flowing Sleeves (cello & piano quintet)
- Cadence (cello quartet)
- Rhyme (solo cello)
- Piano Trio