Huang Ruo Sings His Top Five Chinese Folk Songs
Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Huang Ruo (Wenjun Miakoda Liang)
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China in New York
WQXR's China in New York festival explores how Chinese artists are influencing the world of classical music and fusing age-old traditions with a potent sense of discovery.
More - Join the Discussion [2]
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Huang Ruo, a Chinese-born New York-based composer, has written works for every conceivable format including orchestra, chamber ensemble, piano and the opera stage. While he employs Western instruments and techniques he also edited the anthology Selection of Classic Chinese Folk Songs.
Ruo's interest in Chinese folk songs is more than ethnographic: He grew up listening to many of these works in his native Hainan. In the following video he shares five of his favorite songs.
1. Little Blue Flower
2. Flower Drum Song from Feng Yeng
3. Boatman's Song of the Yellow River
3. Love Song from Kang Ding
4. The Girl from Da Ban City
Comments [2]
If I were 30 years younger I would definitely (try to) learn these! Many, many years ago while in 4th grade, when we were studying about China I performed a translation of Flower Drum Song with classmate Louise Lasser. "Pity my fate, oh sad fate. Others have rich ones {....] my husband sits all day and plays upon his drum. Drrr, etc."
Can't say I enjoy his singing, but I really appreciate his passion and selection. I also grew up with the flower drum song and the love song from Kang Ding. This is a nice throwback. Thanks QXR!
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