Symphony for 13 Micro Films, Harp and Orchestra
Composed and conducted by Tan Dun
Featuring the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra (USA/China/Singapore)

 

A secret language passed down from mothers to daughters, through generations of music and tradition.

 

NU SHU: The Secret Songs of Women is a spellbinding and intimate look into the lives of the women of a remote village in Hunan, China. Award-winning composer and conductor Tan Dun delves into the fast-disappearing world of Nu Shu, the only existing language in the world today used exclusively by females.

 

Thirteen microfilms provide a glimpse into a private bond of sisterhood, accompanied by Tan Dun’s compositions inspired by the ancient music of the community. Tan Dun conducts the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra and guest solo harpist Chen Yuying from Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, providing the evocative score to heartrending everyday scenes of village life—elderly Nu Shu women sing with tearful dedication; younger members ready themselves in their wedding dresses; a young female rows down a river of symbolic tears—all connected together by an ancient form of communication that continues to be an essential element of life in the village.

 

Join Tan Dun as he conducts the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra and guest soloists in a programme featuring Nu Shu and other works.

 

谭盾: 女书

为13部微电影、竖琴独奏与交响乐而作

大都会管弦乐团（美国/中国/新加坡）

 

一种女性独有的秘密文字，世世代代由母传女，通过吟唱，承载传统。

视听影像音乐会《女书》，以细腻角度，探寻中国湖南偏远乡村妇女委婉动人的内心世界。由国际知名作曲家兼指挥家谭盾历时五年，在湖南老家听音寻路，收集、拍摄并记录这世上唯一且正在失传的女书文化。

13段微电影，搭配谭盾融入湖南传统民间音乐元素的全新曲目，为世人展现妇女间含蓄的金兰情谊。谭盾亲临指挥新加坡大都会管弦乐团，中国上海爱乐的竖琴家陈妤颖参与独奏，并根据女书传人演唱的原生态歌谣配乐和声，全情创作出这部视听影像音乐之作——伟大的母亲之歌、女人出嫁的喜悦与难舍、母女情深与姐妹情意重的温馨.....诉不尽的美丽与浪漫，流不完的泪水与幽怨，借由典雅的女书文化为观众细腻绘制。

音乐会除了谭盾全情创作的《女书》作品，也将演奏其他精彩曲目，绝对值得期待。

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Programme:

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 • Li Huanzhi - Spring Festival Overture

 • Zhao Jiping - Grand Mansion Gate

 • Guan Xia - Hua Mulan

 • Liu Yuan - Train Toccata

 • Tan Dun - NU SHU: The Secret Songs of Women