炎黃風情的樂曲解說
1. 小白菜 這是我在童年聽到的第壹首民歌——首流傳久遠的歌，它表現了壹個失去母親的孩子遭受繼母虐待的悲慘境遇，和他對生母的懷念之情。我以這首民歌的淒婉旋律為基礎，用弦樂刻畫主人公對往日溫暖親情的眷戀，以及為母親送葬情景的回憶。中間部分的旋律是我根據河北民歌《哭五更》的音調重新創作的，其中有哀傷的嗚咽，無奈的嘆息，也有短暫的憧憬。當旋律重新回到《小白菜》時，小提琴以充滿幻想的空靈音響把人們帶到了這苦命孩子寄希望於天國的依稀夢境之中。
2. 小放牛
這是壹首農村歌舞曲，曾被編成京劇和昆曲短劇而流傳全國。 清晨， 陽光明媚，清風拂煦，牧童在牛背上吹著竹笛悠然自得地走出村口。路上，壹位美麗的村姑向牧童問路，牧童則以“趙州石橋什麽人修？玉石欄桿什麽人留？什麽人騎驢橋上走？什麽人推車軋了壹道溝？”壹連串問題請村姑回答，作為指路的條件。 聰明的村姑有問必答，壹壹應對，二人邊唱邊舞，壹派天真。樂曲用音色對置的手法表現壹問壹答的詼諧情趣，最後以樂隊的全奏將歡樂氣氛推向高潮。
3. 茉莉花
中國各地特別是東部各省幾乎都有旋律、歌詞各不相同的《茉莉花》長期流傳。我選取了我的祖籍河北滄州地區的《茉莉花》的旋律。這是壹首優雅細膩，精致委婉的歌曲，表現了少女以茉莉花自喻，對美好愛情充滿幻想的爛漫情懷。由小提琴、中提琴先後演奏的《茉莉花》旋律，時而恬淡寧靜，時而含情脈脈，時而以不協和和弦表現少女偶上心頭的壹縷愁緒。當另壹旋律與《茉莉花》重唱時，則像是壹首愛的頌歌。然後，音樂轉入沈思，又在結尾時平添壹絲惆悵。 4. 對花
“春季裏來什麽花兒開？春季裏開的是迎春花 ……” 對句歌是民歌中常見的形式，而依季節次序問答花名則是對句歌中常見的內容。這首樂曲的主題采用的是河北滄州地區的《對花》，中部則是另壹首滄州民歌《放風箏》的旋律。 全曲以多變的節奏、對置的音色和豐富的力度變化描繪出對歌場上歡騰熱烈的場面：壹連串喋喋不休的反復音調，像是場外熙熙攘攘的人群呼喊助威。中部插入的慢板則是手執竹板擊節入場的女子表演“落子”（蓮花落）的舞蹈場面。 1. 小河淌水
“月亮出來亮汪汪，想起我的阿哥在深山，哥象月亮天上走，山下小河淌水清悠悠。”這是壹首即景生情，情景交融的雲南情歌。
樂曲以原曲歌詞提供的時間（月夜）、空間（山下小河旁）為背景，用弦樂高音區的模糊音響模擬朦朧月夜，用鋼琴、豎琴、鋼片琴的丁冬音響模擬小河流水。恬美的英國管和明亮的長笛先後唱出柔美動人的旋律。當樂曲轉為全體弦樂齊奏時，低聲部模擬“阿哥”以放慢壹倍的同壹旋律熱烈應和，把熾烈的愛情之歌推向高潮。
2. 放馬山歌
“正月放馬正月正，趕起馬來登路程；二月放馬百草發，小馬吃草順山爬……”這首流傳全國的雲南民歌，表現了放馬人豪爽的性格。樂曲中使用打擊樂器和小提琴的滑奏模擬馬鈴、馬蹄、馬鞭聲和放馬人的吆喝聲。中部以《趕馬調》的悠閑舒緩節奏和甜美平穩旋律刻畫放馬人途中休憩的情景。
3. 雨不灑花花不紅
“哥是天上壹條龍，妹是地上花壹蓬，龍不翻身不下雨，雨不灑花花不紅。
”這首雲南情歌歌詞語語雙關，言簡情深；旋律調式獨特，婉轉動人，曾在各地廣為流傳。樂曲以象征雨滴的三連音音型貫穿全曲，先後用大管、單簧管加短笛以及弦樂木管的交替演奏這優美迷人的旋律。
4. 猜調
這首幽默詼諧的雲南童謠以“繞口令”式的節奏表現了姐妹問答對歌的活潑情趣：“小乖乖來小乖乖，我們說給妳們猜：什麽長，長上天？哪樣長，海中間？什麽長長街前賣嘛？哪樣長長
妹跟前？”“……銀河長，長上天；蓮藕長，海中間；銀線長長街前賣，絲線長長妹跟前。”樂曲以木管樂器的明亮音色和弦樂撥奏的輕快節奏突出顯現了旋律的戲謔氣氛，中部引用了另壹首雲南民歌《安寧州》的優美旋律。 1. 女娃擔水
樂曲的主題是壹首反映舊時代農村女子苦難生活的陜北民歌。全曲采用傳統的變奏曲體裁，從多側面揭示苦難中的女子的內心世界。主題和最初的兩個變奏淒楚悲涼，第三變奏刻畫了主人惆悵不安的心理活動，第五變奏表現了她向悲慘命運的無力的抗爭。最後壹個變奏又回到悲涼的主題，而且變得更加孱弱纖細——苦難是難以擺脫的。
2. 夫妻逗趣
“說妳呀，邋遢呀，真邋壹得遢呀，頭上的金絲麽亂呀如麻呀，娃他媽！”這首對唱描繪了壹對夫妻相互取笑的嬉戲場面。三弦和板胡象征壹對嬉戲中的夫妻。鋼琴的不協和音和小堂鑼的滑稽音色強化了樂曲的喜劇色彩，半音調性對置和節拍錯位更使樂曲充滿幽默感。 3. 走絳州
這首歌流行於陜西和山西，表現了主人公肩挑扁擔口唱歌謠步履輕快地向絳州進發的愉快心情。板胡的旋律輕松愉快，小提琴的固定音型好像扁擔上下忽閃的顫動，全曲展現出壹幅優美的鄉間畫面。 4. 蘭花花
《蘭花花》是壹首產生於陜北流傳於全國的敘事歌曲。歌曲強烈控訴了舊時代包辦婚姻對自由愛情的摧殘，歌頌了反叛封建禮教，追求幸福婚姻的青年女子蘭花花。然而，在封建社會，她不可避免地要以生命為代價而走向悲劇的結局。
樂曲的第壹部分以柔美的雙簧管和熱情的大提琴表現蘭花花和她的情人充滿幻想的甜蜜愛情。中段以銅管的強暴威嚴和弦樂的悲慟哭訴象征蘭花花的抗爭和憤怒，定音鼓和大鑼的哀鳴預示了悲劇的結局。樂曲結尾，定音鼓沈悶地奏出主題，留下了最後的微弱呼喚。 1. 槐花幾時開
巴山蜀水，培育了四川人勤勞、爽朗而富於幽默感的性格。這首詞曲並茂的《槐花幾時開》是壹曲典型的四川山歌。歌詞只有四句，卻情景交融，意味深長：“高高山上壹樹槐，手把欄桿望郎來，娘問女兒望啥子，我望槐花幾時開。”其旋律也十分別致，從全曲最高音起，每句歌詞拆為兩個樂節，並加入四川山歌特有的襯字，起伏婉轉，扣人心弦。
樂曲由雙簧管、圓號、弦樂、長笛和英國管先後演奏這首山歌的優美旋律。 和聲以另壹調性做背景襯托，描繪了壹個遠景近景既分離又相合的山村畫面。
2. 黃楊扁擔
這是壹首四川秀山花燈調，表現了小夥子挑擔到酉州送米，卻興致勃勃地觀察酉州姑娘梳頭打扮的情景。歌詞俏皮風趣，四川民歌特有的襯詞更增添了歌詞的幽默感：“黃楊扁擔軟溜溜哇(姐裏哈裏呀)，挑壹擔白米下酉州哇(姐呀姐呀) 下酉州哇(哥裏哈裏呀)。” 樂曲以強勁的全奏刻畫小夥子彪悍的形象，中段以壹首山歌的二重唱表現年輕挑夫休憩時悠然自得的神態。
3. 繡荷包
《繡荷包》是中國民歌中常見的題材，表現少女為情人繡荷包時的興奮與羞澀心態。荷包是男人系於腰間用以裝錢和零星物品的布袋，女子常以荷包贈與情人作為定情物。民歌中《繡荷包》以四川、山西和雲南的三首流傳最廣。 樂曲從弦樂四重奏開始，然後轉為木管，間以豎琴的裝飾性滑奏和長笛的華彩樂句，宛若姑娘手中的飛針走線。
4. 太陽出來喜洋洋
這是壹首爽朗明快的四川山歌：“太陽出來喜洋洋，挑起扁擔上山崗，手中拿把開山斧，不怕虎豹和豺狼。” 樂隊全奏貫穿全曲，銅管樂器粗野的吶喊，弦樂從壓抑到爆發的轉接，以及定音鼓的狂燥敲擊，表現了雄性勃發的陽剛之氣。 1. 無錫景
以錫山、惠山和太湖聞名於世的江南名城無錫，歷來是詩人、畫家和音樂家的靈感之源。以無錫為題的名曲，壹是阿炳的《二泉映月》，壹是這首江南小調《無錫景》：“天下第二泉，惠山腳半邊，泉水碧清，茶葉泡香片，錫山相對惠泉山，山腳下，兩半邊，開個泥佛店。”這首管弦樂曲以清秀的木管音色和朦朧的弦樂音色描繪了無錫秀美迷人的湖光山色。 2. 楊柳青
這是壹首歡快活潑的揚州小調。“楊柳青”是原歌中的襯詞，並無特別含義。這首小調歌詞不固定，常填入詼諧，風趣，歡快的詞句。樂曲采用弦樂撥奏， 從兩個聲部開始，逐步轉入全部弦樂的撥奏，並以撥奏模擬民間打擊樂的鑼鼓節奏，突出了樂曲的歡快氣氛和俏皮性格。 3. 拔根蘆柴花
這是壹首江都縣的秧田歌，“拔根蘆柴花”系原曲襯句。“白米飯好吃要把秧來栽，鮮魚湯好喝要把網來拈……”樂曲以鋼琴和長笛先後演奏這首秧田歌的輕快旋律，弦樂撥奏和清脆的板鼓伴奏之，勾畫了壹幅秀美的江南圖景。 4. 紫竹調
這原是壹首流行於蘇州的市井愛情小調，後成為上海滬劇曲牌。其歌詞經歷代藝人傳播修改，成為壹首含蓄有趣的情歌：“壹根紫竹直苗苗，送與哥哥做管簫，簫兒對著口，口兒對著簫，簫中吹出開花調。問哥哥，這管簫兒好不好？”樂曲以弦樂和二胡、琵琶、曲笛演奏旋律，豎琴的晶瑩琶音與之相和，頗具江南絲竹的風格。 1. 走西口
《走西口》講述的是過去年代生活在黃土高原貧瘠地區的人們背井離鄉，到口外謀生的故事，流行於山西、陜西的北部和內蒙古西部。各地的《走西口》內容相近，曲調卻有很大差異。這裏所采用的是山西小調的旋律：“哥哥妳走西口，小妹妹我實難留，手拉著哥哥的手，壹直送到小村口。”樂曲以如泣如訴的弦樂音色和細膩落錯的復調聲部淋漓盡致地表現了壹對情人依依不舍的離愁別緒------這裏有纏綿悱惻的喃喃私語，更有肝腸欲斷的生離死別。 2. 鬧元宵
“正月十五鬧元宵，太原城裏好熱鬧，這壹邊燈耍龍擺尾，那壹邊秧歌扭得好。”這是壹首歡騰熱烈的山西民歌，表現了元宵節之夜人們興高采烈的心情。樂曲以銅管的引子和嗩吶的曲調把人們帶到了壹年壹度的元宵晚會氣氛之中。當人們沈浸在節日之夜的歡樂之中的時候，壹曲深情的《繡荷包》緩緩流入人們心田：“初壹到十五，十五的月兒高，那春風吹動楊呀楊柳梢。”表現了“每逢佳節倍思親”的獨特心境。 3. 爬山調
爬山調流行於山西河曲和內蒙古武川壹帶，亦稱山曲。它同陜北的信天遊在結構上十分相近，都是散板式的上下句結構。內容亦同愛情題材為主，樂曲由兩首爬山調聯合而成，我們從中可以看到山村男女青年以山曲表達心聲的情景。 4. 看秧歌
秧歌是北方農村流行的壹種邊歌邊舞的民間歌舞，山西的秧歌以晉中地區的太谷秧歌最為著稱。太谷秧歌以敘事歌曲和短劇為主。這壹首《看秧歌》本身就是壹首秧歌曲，描述了壹對姐妹結伴到鄰村看秧歌，壹路上趣事層出的情景。樂曲突出了秧歌的打擊樂音響，以北方特有的火爆氣氛把音樂推向高潮。 BAO YUANKAI
YANHUANG FENGQING
Chinese Sights and Sounds
24 Pieces on Chinese Folk tunes for Orchestra
Suit 1. Yan Zhao gu shi
Heibei Folk Songs
Stories on the Lands of Ancient Yan and Zhao
1. Xiaobaicai_Little Cabbage
This is a very popular folk song talking about how a boy was ill-treated by his stepmother. Apart from the touching melody, the strings was being highlighted to imitate the boy's sorrow. He missed his mother very much and the composer made use of another Heibei folk song Crying at the Daybreak to show the boy's weeping sadness, helpless sighs and transient expectation. In the end, the violin brings us to the misty dreamland which the poor boy is longing for.
2. Xiaofangniu The Little Cowherd
It is a dance tune about the dialogue between a little cowherd boy and a clever country girl. When the girl asked the boy to show her the way, she was being tested with lots of questions. However, the intelligent girl had given the correct answers. Their conversations contribute to a joyful and amusing atmosphere. The sentiments were pushed to a climax by the full orchestra.
3.Molihua Jasmine
There were many tunes or songs named Jasmine that could be found all over China especially the eastern provinces. This piece is from Cangzhou in Heibei Province with elegant and delicate melody. The tune is played by violin and viola, describing how a girl projects herself as a jasmine flower and dreams about romantic love.
4. Duihua Can You Guess What Flower It Is
The format of questions and answers is often found in folk songs especially about the flowers' names. This tune is one of them from Cangzhou which is merged with another folk song Flying the Kite in the middle part of the piece. The changeable rhythms, contrasted tone colors and frequent shifts of dynamics depict a noisy and gay picture of the cheerful crowd.
Suit 2. Yun ling su miao
Yunnan Folk Songs
Sketches of the Highland of Yuannan
1.Xiaohe Tangshui Flowing Stream
This is a Yunnan folk song describing how a girl is missing her lover under a moonlit night. Different instruments were used to picture the scenery such as the string instruments for the moonlit night, the piano, harp and glock for the flowing stream. The touching melody is then played by the English horn and flute respectively. The music reaches its pinnacle when the low register part representing the boy friend played at half speed and is accompanied by the full string ensemble.
2. Fang Ma shange Song of Wrangler
This popular Yunnan folk song describes how the herdsman is grazing their horses on the pasture land and mountain. It also shows the bold and straightforward character of the herdsman. Percussion and violins are used to mimic the sounds of horse bells, hoofs and whips. Another wrangling tune with slow tempo and sweet melody appears in the middle part of the piece which shows the peacefulness of the herdsman when taking a rest during his work.
3. Yu bu sahua hua bu hong Blossoming for Rainwater
It is a well-known Yunnan folk song in a pun form by which the girl is like a cluster of flowers and her lover is like a dragon in the sky. The melody and mode of this tune are unique and beautiful. Triplet pattern, which symbolizes raindrops, is used all over the piece. The bassoon, clarinet, piccolo and woodwind instruments are used respectively to interpret this fascinating melody.
4.Caidiao Song of Riddles
This is a children's folk rhyme from Yunnan. In the rhythm of tongue twister, the song depicts how the two sisters are engaging in questions and answers. The mood is humorous and vivid which can be reflected by woodwind and string instruments. The middle part of the piece borrows the melodic tune of another Yunnan folk song Anningzhou.
Suit 3. Huang tu bei huan
Shannxi Folk Songs
Sadness and Happiness on the Yellow Soil Highland
1. Nuwa danshui Theme and Variation by Folksong of Shannxi
The theme of the melody originates from a Shaanxi folk song which is talking about a country girl's hard life. The music develops in different traditional variations that probes the girl's feelings in many aspects. The tone is sad and melancholy which shows her disconsolate and hard feelings. It also depicts her attempt to struggle against her miserable life.
2.Fuqi douqu The Amusing Couple
It describes the amusing scene of a couple who are laughing at each other. A three-stringed Chinese plucked instrument and the banhu symbolize the couple respectively. The discord of piano and humorous tone color of small gong further strengthens the comic flavor of the theme.
3.Zou Jiangzhou Going to Jiangzhou
It is a popular song in Shaanxi and Shanxi which shows a cheerful man with a carrying pole on his shoulder humming when approaching Jiangzhou. The beautiful country scenery is illustrated by the light-hearted and happy tune of banhu while the fixed sound pattern of violin imitates the elastic movement of the pole on his shoulder.
4.Lan Huahua Lady Lan Huahua
This song is from the north of Shaanxi Province talking about a brave girl called Lan Huahua. She protested against feudalism and pursued her own happy marriage. Her struggle ends in tragedy and finally costs her life. The music begins with oboe and cello to depict their passionate love. Then the brass and strings come in to symbolize her struggle and wrath. In the end, the theme is recapitulated by the kettle drum and finally leads to the tragic ending of the story.
Suit 4. Ba Shu shan ge
Sichuan Folk Songs
Mountain Songs of the Ancient States Ba and Shu
1.Huaihua jishi kai Expecting the Blossom of Scholartree
Sichuan people are known for their diligence, straightforwardness and humor. This is a typical Sichuan folk song talking about how a girl is missing her lover. The tone is amusing and unique. The beautiful melody is recapitulated by the oboe, horn, string instruments, flute and English horn respectively while the harmony in another mode pictures the village scenery.
2. Huangyang biandan Yellow Poplar Shouldering Pole
This Sichuan folk song talks about a young man watching the girls in Qiuzhou to do make-ups on his way carrying a load of rice there too. The music begins with the full orchestra to portray the strong young man while the duet in the middle part of the piece depicts the leisurely and relaxing mood during his rest.
3. Xiu hebao Embroider a Pouch
Embroidering pouch is a very popular theme among Chinese folk songs. It shows the excitement and shyness of young girls when embroidering pouch for their lovers. Girls always give a pouch to their lovers as a token of love. The music begins with string quartet, and is followed by the woodwind, harp and flute respectively. It is just like the shuttling thread in her hand.
4.Taiyang Chulai Xiyangyang Happy Sunrise
This is a lively and straightforward folk song from Sichuan Province. It describes the happiness and pride of children when they climb up the hills to work. The melody is played by the full orchestra. With the highlights of brass, strings and kettledrums, the masculine tone of the piece is further strengthened.
Suit 5. Jiang nan yu si
Jiangsu Folk Songs
Drizzle in the South
1. Wuxi Jing The Scenery of Wuxi
Wuxi in Jiangnan Province is famous for its beautiful scenery which is also the source of inspiration for poets, painters and musicians. Such as the Moon Reflected in Two Streams and this folk song are both well-known tunes talking about Wuxi. This orchestral version of the folk song depicts the charming scenery by both the woodwind and strings.
2. Yangliuqing Green Willow
It is an animated and brisk Yangzhou folk song. It is named so because it uses green willow as a foil in the lyric which is meaningless. The lyric is changeable with humorous and cheerful words. Pizzicato is applied among all strings and is even used to imitate the rhythm of gongs and drums. The delightful and active tone of the melody is then fully expressed.
3. Bagen Luchaihua Pulling out a Reed Catkin
It is a folk song in Jiangdu County which is always sung when transplanting seeds in the rice fields. Accompanied by the strings in pizzicato and small drums, the tune is played by piano and flute respectively to portray this beautiful Jiangnan scenery.
4. Zizhudiao Bamboo-flute Tune
It used to be a popular love tune in Suzhou and is then become a mode of tune for Shanghai local opera Huju. The lyric is implicit and amusing. Accompanied by the harp, the melody is played by the strings in the style of Jiangnansizu.
Suit 6. Taihang chun qiu
Shanxi Folk Songs
Seasons in Taihang Mountains
1. Zou Xikou Going to West Gate
Popular in Shanxi, Northern Shaanxi and Western Inner Mongolia, this folk song talks about the migration of the poor people from the Highlands for a better living. The music adopts the Shanxi tune with the theme of the sad separation between two lovers. Their feelings are depicted by the strings and the polyphony parts of the orchestra.
2.Nao Yuanxiao Happy Lantern Festival
This is a cheerful Shanxi folk song showing the happiness and excitement of people when celebrating the Lantern Festival. The introductory brass and tunes by suona lead to the climax of the festive joy. Then a soft and emotional tune of Embroidering Pouch appears to depict the sentiment of missing their own family under this annual gala.
3. Pashan diaoA Tune of Mountain Climbing
Popular in Hequ, Shanxi Province and Wuchuan, Inner Mongolia, the structure of mountain tunes is similar to that of Xintianyou in the Northern Shaanxi Province. Both of them are in sanban (no tempo) and also have the main theme of love. This piece is composed of two mountain tunes which shows how the young village people express their love through those songs.
4. Kan Yangge Going to Watch Yangge Dance
It is a country dance popular in the villages of Northern China. This piece talks about two sisters who go to see the dance and have met lots of interesting things. Percussion is highlighted to depict the rhythm and also the liveliness of the dance.