Water Messenger

Description

Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, English Horn, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Contrabassoon, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Horn in F 3, Horn in F 4, Trumpet in C 1, Trumpet in C 2, Trumpet in C 3, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion 1, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Percussion 2, Tam-Tam, Snare Drum, Bell, Percussion 3, Glockenspiel, Harp, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Double Bass — The concept of the WATER MESSENGER is a symbolic metaphor, referring to the role of water played on the Third Day of Creation (as described in *Genesis*) — serving as the medium that "brings forth life and bridges the gap between chaos and order." In the lunar calendar, it also symbolizes the Water, one of the elements (Sun, Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth) in ancient China. I was inspired by the nature, the culture, and the history when I received the commission from the Kansas City Symphony led by Maestro Matthias Pintscher in 2025, to write a piece based on “Day Three” of the Genesis Creation story as a part of the Genesis Project. My five-minute orchestral work is scored for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, English horn in F, 2 clarinets in B-flat, bass clarinet in B-flat, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 Frech horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, 4 timpani, 3 percussionists, harp, and strings. The music is fast moving with fluent passages like the flowing water, symbolizing the life force, communication and connection, to convey my wishes of bridging different cultures for better understandings towards the peace of the world.–Chen Yi

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