Shen Yun Performing Arts
  • Home
  • About
    About Us
    About Shen Yun
    Performing Arts
    About Shen Yun
    Symphony Orchestra
    Challenges We Face
    9 Characteristics of Shen Yun
    The Artists
    Press Releases
    FAQ
  • News & Reviews
    Featured
    News
    Reviews
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Explore
    Chinese Dance
    Music
    Vocal Music
    Shen Yun Costumes
    Digital Projection
    Shen Yun Props
    Stories and History
    Shen Yun and Traditional Chinese Culture
  • Support
  • Employment
  • English
  • 中文正體
  • 中文简体
  • 日本語
  • 한국어
  • Česky
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Nederlands
  • Svenska
  • Việt
  • עברית
  • Indonesia
  • Polski
  • Pусский
  • Shop Search
    Tickets
    Menu
    Tickets
    What’s New
    Menu
    • Home
    • About
      • About Us
      • About Shen Yun
        Performing Arts
      • About Shen Yun
        Symphony Orchestra
      • Challenges We Face
      • 9 Characteristics of Shen Yun
      • The Artists
      • Press Releases
      • FAQ
    • News & Reviews
      • Featured
      • News
      • Reviews
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Explore
      • Chinese Dance
      • Music
      • Vocal Music
      • Shen Yun Costumes
      • Digital Projection
      • Shen Yun Props
      • Stories and History
      • Shen Yun and Traditional Chinese Culture
    • FAQ
    • Guestbook

    What Makes Us Unique?

    DISCOVER THE 9 CHARACTERISTICS
    • Employment
    • Support
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Search
    Language
    • 中文正體
    • 中文简体
    • 日本語
    • 한국어
    • Česky
    • Deutsch
    • Español
    • Français
    • Italiano
    • Nederlands
    • Svenska
    • Việt
    • עברית
    • Indonesia
    • Polski
    • Pусский
      News
      Back News > The Tang Dynasty Depicted in Music

    The Tang Dynasty Depicted in Music

    TWO SYMPHONY COMPOSITIONS SINGING TRIBUTE TO CHINA'S GOLDEN AGE

    Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra musicians are now playing their way across Taiwan and South Korea. Soon they’ll be revisiting Carnegie Hall and other top venues across North America. But before then, we’re here to give you an insider’s look at the 2018 program.

    Each season, the Symphony Orchestra includes classical works by Western composers like Tchaikovsky and Dvořák. But the program’s core is a wide range of original compositions that integrate instruments from the East and West to depict the distinct beauty of traditional China.

    Shen Yun composers find inspiration from different dynasties and age-old legends. Last season, composer Yu Deng wrote The Great Khan. A highlight of the 2017 program, the grand and dynamic piece depicted Kublai Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and his intrepid Mongolian warriors.

    For the 2018 season, Deng arranged a composition about the Tang Dynasty.

    “The Tang Dynasty reigned from the seventh to the tenth century, and was a truly splendid era,” said Deng, “And to depict the whole dynasty in under 10 minutes isn’t an easy job.”

    Here’s a sneak peek at the new composition, Homage to the Great Tang Dynasty:

    The orchestra’s rumbling introduction heralds the rise of a new Son of Heaven. In his youth, Tang Taizong had persuaded his father to rebel against the corrupt Sui Dynasty and establish the Tang Dynasty. Succeeding his father to become the dynasty’s second ruler, Emperor Taizong brought the Middle Kingdom to the heights of civilization in what is now considered China’s cultural golden age.

    In this grand composition, themes shift constantly to mirror the speed of change under Taizong. Combative strains give way to a stately melody, and the striking of the gong brings us to the imperial palace. Foreign emissaries offer tribute as the pipa and erhu play melodies from far-off regions along the Silk Road. Next, dignified bells usher in the harmonies of ancient ritual music (yǎyuè, 雅樂) reserved for ceremonies honoring the heavens. The final resplendent themes express hope that the great Tang Dynasty will forever be honored by future generations.

    Due to the heavy flow of foreign traders and envoys, Tang Dynasty music was heavily influenced by other cultures, especially western neighbors such as Persia and Arabia. Accordingly, some melodies found in Great Tang are written in the dunhuang style.

    Dunhuang (敦煌) was a major outpost on crossroads of the Silk Road. Situated in an oasis on the westernmost frontier of China, it bore witness to abundant cultural exchange between the East and West. Shen Yun musicians find it enlightening to perform uniquely different compositions such as Great Tang, because they provide a window to experiencing the surprising differences between China’s dynasties.

    In addition to premiering this new work featuring the Tang, the Symphony Orchestra is also presenting a piece from the Shen Yun 2018 dance production titled Tang Dynasty Training Ground. This was a male group dance portraying Tang soldiers as they prepare for battle under Emperor Taizong. Known for his military prowess, the emperor was often seen fighting in the vanguard alongside his troops. Martial rhythms from the strings symbolize the discipline and gallantry of the soldiers. In the middle section, a passionate pipa solo represents Taizong personally training a group of elite shieldsmen.

    As a dance, Tang Dynasty Training Ground—filled with gripping techniques, seamless and compelling formation changes, and vigorous energy—was a much-loved part of Shen Yun 2018. As a composition, Training Ground remains one of the Symphony Orchestra musicians’ favorite pieces, and they are excited to share it with the audience in concert form.

     

    Click here to listen to past Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra pieces:
    The Great Khan
    Dunhuang
    Mongolian Bowls
    Plum Blossom


    This October, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra revisits Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, and other top venues across North America. See the full schedule page for performance details.

    RELATED CONTENT
    • Shen Yun Fiona Zheng Thumb2
      Up Close With Fiona Zheng
    • Eric Robins Interview Thumb
      Spicy Music and New Connections
    • Painting Thumb Orchidpavilion
      Behind the Notes: Poets of the Orchid Pavilion
    • Notes Thumb
      Behind the Notes: The Mystical Udumbara
    • Erhu Closerlook Thumb3
      The Erhu - A Closer Look
    • Pipa Thumb
      The Pipa – A Closer Look

    Previous

    Meet Principal Dancer Monty Mou

    Next

    Symphony Tour: Behind the Scenes in Taiwan
    Most Recent
    • Feature Article: Principal Dancer Jane Chen
    • Photos from Tour: Jan 30–Feb 13
    • Photos from Tour: Jan 22–29
    • Meet Principal Dancer Kenji Kobayashi
    • Photos from Tour: Jan 7–21
    • When Is the Chinese New Year?
    • Photos from Tour: The New Year
    • Feature Article: Principal Dancer Evangeline Zhu
    • Wear the Elegance from 5,000 Years of History
    • Introducing 2019!
    Most Popular
    • All
    • News
    • Blog
  • 1 Feature Article: Principal Dancer Michelle Lian
  • 2 Shen Yun 2019 Begins
  • 3 What Makes Shen Yun's Dancing Special?
  • 4 Wearing Our Traditions
  • 5 Feature Article: Principal Dancer Evangeline Zhu
  • 6 5 Things That Keep Us Going
  • 7 Photos from Tour: Jan 22–29
  • 8 Introducing 2019!
  • 9 Meet Principal Dancer Kenji Kobayashi
  • 10 Easy Everyday Stretches—Dancer Edition!
  • Show More
  • 1 Feature Article: Principal Dancer Michelle Lian
  • 2 Shen Yun 2019 Begins
  • 3 What Makes Shen Yun's Dancing Special?
  • 4 Wearing Our Traditions
  • 5 Feature Article: Principal Dancer Evangeline Zhu
  • 6 Photos from Tour: Jan 22–29
  • 7 Introducing 2019!
  • 8 Meet Principal Dancer Kenji Kobayashi
  • 9 Wear the Elegance from 5,000 Years of History
  • 10 Photos from Tour: Jan 7–21
  • Show More
  • 1 5 Things That Keep Us Going
  • 2 Easy Everyday Stretches—Dancer Edition!
  • 3 Air Travel Lifehacks from the Pros
  • 4 My Favorite Part of Tour
  • 5 My Year of the Pig
  • 6 Gift Ideas for Chinese New Year
  • Show More

    Interact with Shen Yun:

    Guestbook Newsletter What’s New

      Shen Yun Performing Arts is a premier classical Chinese dance and music company established in New York. It performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers. For 5,000 years, divine culture flourished in the land of China. Through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is reviving this glorious culture. Shen Yun, or 神韻, can be translated as: “The beauty of divine beings dancing.”

      About
    • Shen Yun Performing Arts
    • Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra
    • Challenges We Face
    • Shen Yun & Spirituality
    • Meet the Artists
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Press Releases
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Videos
    • Latest & Featured
    • About Shen Yun
    • Meet the Artists
    • Reviews
    • News & Blog
    • News & Reviews
    • Featured
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Explore
    • Chinese Dance
    • Music
    • Vocal Music
    • Shen Yun Costumes
    • Digital Projection
    • Shen Yun Props
    • Stories and History
    • Shen Yun and Traditional Chinese Culture
    • Shen Yun Shop
      Friends of Shen Yun
      Tian Yin Music Store
      Guestbook
    • Support
    • Subscribe
    Shen Yun Performing Arts Official Website Friends of Shen Yun Shen Yun Shop Copyright ©2019 Shen Yun Performing Arts. All Rights Reserved.
    Contact us Terms Privacy Site map
    Loading