Songs behind the scenes

06/29/20 • 29 min

1 Listener

Previously, we enjoyed some of Wang Bei's musical works for the Chinese television series, The Legend of Mi Yue, and his compositions for the documentary, 'Aerial China'. From traditional Chinese Orchestral pieces to contemporary film & television score music, Wang Bei is one of the most active and talented composers in the Chinese music scene. Today, we select several from his works and have the pleasure of having the composer disclose his inspirations and thoughts behind these classic pieces.

Song Lists:

1. The Great Love 天之大, composed by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao, sung by Mao Amin

2. Fireworks 满城烟花, composed by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao, sung by Mao Amin & Zhang Jie

3. The Waters and Mountains of Guizhou 山水贵客, composed by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao, sung by Han Hong

4. Legacy 遗爱, composed & sung by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao

5. Flowery March 烟花三月, composed by Wang Bei

6. Buffalo 水牛儿, composed & sung by Wang Bei, lyrics by Gao Chang

Song Lists:

1. The Great Love 天之大, composed by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao, sung by Mao Amin

2. Fireworks 满城烟花, composed by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao, sung by Mao Amin & Zhang Jie

3. The Waters and Mountains of Guizhou 山水贵客, composed by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao, sung by Han Hong

4. Legacy 遗爱, composed & sung by Wang Bei, lyrics by Chen Tao

5. Flowery March 烟花三月, composed by Wang Bei

6. Buffalo 水牛儿, composed & sung by Wang Bei, lyrics by Gao Chang

Previous Episode

Legend of The Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the 5th day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar.

Legend has it that the festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, the poet and minister of the ancient state of Chu during the Warring States period. When the king decided to ally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu was banished for opposing the alliance and even accused of treason. Years after his exile, at hearing the news of the downfall of his state's capital, Qu drowned himself in the Miluo River...

Song Lists:

1. BGM: East Wind Breaks 东风破, composed by Jay Chou, guzheng by Zhang Lu

2. Going Up And Down To Seek My Heart's Desire 上下求索, composed by Lao Luo, vocal by Gong Linna

3. A Limited-Master of Destinies 九歌/少司命, composed by Wang Bei, performed by Asia Philharmonic Orchestra

4. Mi Luo River Fantasia 汨罗江幻想曲, composed by Li Huanzhi, performed by China National Traditional Orchestra

5. Fishermen's Triumph 渔舟凯歌, by Zhu Jianping

Next Episode

Music from “the King of Chinese Instruments”

Dong Xiaolin is a principle pipa performer with the China National Traditional Orchestra. Her music has the enchantment that can take listeners throughout time and history to the Tang Dynasty and the ancient poetry of that era.

Today, Ms Dong brings us a couple of her renowned pieces and a masterpiece from the late influential pipa master Liu Dehai, which features a unique musical style from southern China’s Guangdong Province.

Let’s see where you go in these melodies.

Song lists:

1. Flowers and Clouds, 云想•花想

2. A Moonlit Night on the Spring River, 春江花月夜

3. Lady Liuqing, 柳青娘