Four Poems of Lingnan

The Four Poems of Lingnan, Op.62,commissioned by the Bureau for Cultural Affairs and the Macao Orchestra, is the most recent work completed in 2011 by Xiaogang Ye.Composed for the Tenor voice matched with a large orchestra, the work provides settings to four Chinese poems written in the Tang, Song, Ming or Qing Dynasty respectively.Each of the poems is related to Lingnan, the south of the Five Ridges, and was carefully selected from the abundant and resplendent treasure of Chinese classical poetry.By adding musical wings to the ancient poetical masterpieces, the Four Poems of Lingnan offers a special vista to the classical verses of Lingnan and voices the aspirations of the contemporary artists for the unconventional with uninhibited passion.

1. Seeing off a Friend to the South of the Five Ridges LyricsbyLiYing(TangDynasty,817-873)

Far-flung the ancient region of Jiaozhou beyond boarder wide,

Late in the year but on horseback my dear friend must take his ride.

On coast, like Xie meeting the legendary goddess, you might,

On water, like King of Yue seeing Laozi’s buffalo, you might.

Where amid cries of apes from the moon-lit ridges till daylight,

Where in stone cottage, autumn by fog-embraced osmanthus delight.

Forget not to gaze upon Chang-an five thousand li from sight,

Oh! Linger not under the splendour of Erythrina bright.

2. A Specialty of Huizhou LyricsbySuShi(SongDynasty,1037-1101)

The Sun plays on the floodings, the scene is riant,

The drizzles misting the mountains is also a sight.

Comparing West Lake to“West Beauty”,

Both are charming in light dress as well in bright.

3. Adieu to Li Meizhou LyricsbyZhangQiao(MingDynasty,1615-1633)

In spring drizzle surge the tidal waves a hundred feet high,

Alongside riverbank, sets sail your boat splendid in quest.

Chasing one another the swallows how lithely may fly,

Bearable not at sight of the shrike leaving for the west.

4. On Zhenhai Tower at Double Ninth Festival LyricsbyChenGongyin(QingDynasty,1631-1700)

From fair cups, inebriated I slumber,

By winding rails must I be reposing.

High onto Zhenhai’s up-soaring tower,

Vast into sight, autumn-scape’s imposing.

Far from north, but to stand aloft hither,

Meandering, Five Ridges composing;

Merging south-end in horizon thither,

To skies and water, mainland exposing.

Upon chrysanthemums about blooming,

As millet wine, stamens amber growing;

A distant chant, as spring water gurgling,

Through pinewoods near, coming the wind blowing.

Circumstance off and lot into laughing,

Who white-haired, at Double Ninth Day throwing;

Thoughts on past suppressed from re-pondering,

For mounts e’er standing and rivers flowing.