Translated lyrics of the Two Chinese Love Songs for Soprano and Piano:

 

The Love Song of Kangding Town

(A folk song from Kanding Town and rearranged / recomposed by Chien-Yu Huang)

High upon the mountain side, floats could so white.

There lies the Kangding town, bathed in silver moonlight.

Moonlight shines bright over Kangding town.

Lovely maid with sweet simile, Li the woodcutter’s daughter

Zhang the blacksmith eldest’s son, came to court her in moonlight.

Moonlight shines bright over Kangding town.

A courtship in moonlight.

Gentlemen of the world can woo all lovely women of the world.

 

The Three Wishes of Rose

(Originally composed by Zi Huang , words by Chi Long, rearranged / recomposed by Chien-Yu Huang)

Roses, roses, splendid open at railings.

I wish that relentless wind and rain do not jealous my beauty.

I wish that passionate tourists do not pick me.

I wish that I can keep my beauty and will not be withering by time.

 

 

 

Program Note for the Two Chinese Love Songs for Soprano and Piano:

 

I rearranged and recomposed two Chinese love songs in 2010 for a commission from soprano Hsingan Chen.

 

The Love Song of Kangding Town is a folk tune from Kangding, a county in Sichuan, China. The original melody is very simple and written in strophic form. I recomposed the piece using contemporary harmonies and acoustic textures, and I made extensive use of the piano’s sustain pedal to shape and mold new sonic landscapes.

 

The Three Wishes of Rose is a through-composed song by Zi Huang, one of the most prominent Chinese composers of the early 20th century. The original version, written in a romantic style, was already charming and expressive. In my adaptation, I re-harmonized the piece and strengthened the piano’s melodic lines, transforming it from a mere accompaniment into a more vivid and characterful partner to the voice.

 

In both songs, the piano takes on a dominant and flexible role. This demonstrates that an instrument typically used for accompaniment can also develop its own motifs while working in harmony with the voice it supports. This dual role of the piano was both a fascinating element of the adaptation and an exciting creative challenge for me.