Tan Dun composes important message

On the event of Hong Kong's reunification with China, Tan Dun conceived a new work that truly reflects the emotions, politics and historical significance surrounding the occasion.

In his Symphony 1997, commissioned by the Association for Celebration of Reunification of Hong Kong with China (and released on recording July 5 by Sony Music), Tan unites numerous instrumental elements to create the ultimate combination for such a monumental undertaking. The children's voices (Yip's Children's Choir) represent "the future of Hong Kong," the bianzhong (Imperial Bells Ensemble) "the voice of China," and the cello (Yo-Yo Ma) "the story teller" that connects the two.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Tan himself, serves as a backdrop to these soloists. The bianzhong has a special history and importance: it is a set of 65 ancient chime-bells that was recently removed from a tomb in China's Hubei Province, dating back to 433 B.C.

Even at first, the music is quite approachable to the common ear, which cannot usually be said of a new piece of music. This is due to the form as well as the variety of musical styles integrated into the piece and the amount of heavily new orchestration and instrumentation. Its originality depends greatly on new sounds from the bianzhong and combination of the bianzhong with cello children's voices. Tan also unites Western Music with atonal music. As if that weren't difficult enough to achieve, it is additionally executed wiht cleverness and smooth transition.

The work is long, which can rob a listener's attention quickly, but unlike the thematic game-plans of some monstrous and long-winded works of the past, the subject matter for Symphony 1997 commands such an undertaking. Its multi-faceted, three-movement (13-sub-movement) structure keeps itself from monotony as one may think it possesses, being a 70-minute work.

The first movement, entitled "Heaven," is a collection of thoughts on China's traditional past, the ultimate being the last, "Opera in Temple Street with Bianzhong," which makes use of Tan's own recording of a busy street in Hong Kong. The second movement, "Earth," is much more experimental and abstract in musical design. It is a concerto for cello, with sub-movements called "Water," "Fire," and "Metal." The last movement, "Mankind," is a celebration of those who fought and suffered in wars, specifically those in World War II.

Tan Dun's skill at combining these elements into a comprehendable, three-movement symphony surpasses many others' and creates a well-rounded piece of work. His achievement shows what can come of political and historical events and that it can evoke something purely personal and significant. For any listener, familiar or unfamiliar, this new symphony is an approachable, exciting and highly stimulating work.