Work
Exile from the Native Land
for baritone and orchestra
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About
The poem is by Li Yu (李煜) [937- 978], who is a well-known Chinese poet. He was the last emperor of the Southern Tang dynasty, deposed in 975. His works focus on the memory of lost pleasures.
I believe baritone and orchestra are the best medium to convey the emotion and color of this poem. My personal interpretation not only reflects the dark life after he was deposed, but also shows visions of the wonderful events that took place when he was in his homeland. My piece is an interweaving of these mixed emotions, and a sense of confusion of timeline as Li Yu ponders his past memories and his pitiful reality.
Jeff Lin
Commissioned note
Commissioned by Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and New Zealand Opera
Text note
text "Midnight Song" by Li Yu [937-978]
Performance history
06 Sep 2008: Performed by Michael Gray and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at the 2008 Lion Foundation Composers’ Workshop
04 Apr 2009: APO Opera Half Dozen
17 Nov 2009: RNZ Concert: APO's Opera Half Dozen
Featuring: Radio New Zealand Concert