componist
Edward Top was born in Ommen, the Netherlands, in 1972. Top has lived and worked in London, Bangkok, and Rotterdam. He now lives in Vancouver, Canada. Top studied composition and ...
gerelateerde werken
... en weende hij bitter : voor viool, violoncello en piano, 2000/2001 / Edward Top
Genre:
Kamermuziek
Subgenre:
Pianotrio (piano, viool, cello)
Bezetting:
pf vl vc
Genre:
Vocaal
Subgenre:
Zangstem en instrument(en)
Bezetting:
high ob pf/org
Drempel : voor fluit, percussie, violoncello, bariton, piano en basklarinet, 1995 / Eric Verbugt
Genre:
Vocaal
Subgenre:
Zangstem en instrument(en)
Bezetting:
bar fl cl-b perc pf vc
Genre:
Vocaal
Subgenre:
Zangstem en instrument(en)
Bezetting:
alt vl vla vc
compositie
Farewell Songs : for countertenor, Baroque ensemble, and Chinese instruments / Edward Top
Toelichting:
The Farewell Songs present an alternate history of true exchange between ancient Chinese instruments and the early-music practice of the European Baroque ensemble on the shores of Canada in 2024.
In addition, a countertenor sings texts from Tang dynasty poets Mèng Hàorán and Wang Wei. These texts are freely interpreted and translated into English by the composer. Earlier translations of these texts were used by Gustav Mahler in his song cycle Das Lied von der Erde. Part of the idea in the Farewell Songs is how French and German translations (as available to Mahler 120 years ago), numerous English versions, and now a direct Google translation of the original Chinese, have created a multiplicity of references and interpretations of the texts.
The original Chinese poems are narrated by erhu player Lan Tung during the performance, bringing it back to the ‘purity’ of its original intentions. Similarly, the music oscillates between Chinese and Baroque music, and contemporary musical elements; between the accuracy of historic practice and the freely creative (re)-interpretation of it.