Zhou Long

King Chu Doffs His Armour

Study score

Forces or Category: Solo pipa & full orchestra

Orchestration: pipa solo, 2 (I&II+picc), 2 ob (II+ca), 2 cl, 2 bn, 4 hn, 2 tpt, 2 tbn, timp, 2 perc, hp, str (2.2.2.2.2.)

King Chu Doffs His Armour

Study score

Zhou Long

Description

Programme Notes:

'King Chu Doffs his Armour' is a popular story that dates back to 202 BC, when an epic battle was staged between the kingdoms of Han and Chu, culminating in the tragic suicide of the noble warrior King Chu. This work is based on the Chinese classical solo pipa piece of the same title, found in the Hua Qiu Ping Pipa Music Collection of 1818, as well as in the later Yang Zheng Xuan Pipa Music Collection, edited by Lin Shi-Cheng. The concerto focuses on describing the sensitive inner mood of King Chu during the tragic scene in which he bids farewell to his concubine. For this concerto, the composer has retained the original structure of the traditional manuscript and added an introduction, a solo cadenza, and an extended coda, in keeping with concerto form.

King Chu Doffs His Armour

Study score

Zhou Long

Composer Information