Four Seasons Ballade for soprano and piano by Alice Ping Yee Ho.

Описание: This work is inspired by the “Four Seasons” poems by Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty. Performed by soprano Maeve Palmer, and pianist Jialiang Zhu.

“Spring” is a sweet lament expressing the sentiment of a young woman: while calmly plucking mulberry and admiring the beautiful landscape in early spring, she sadly watches the departure of their loved ones going to war. “Summer” communicates optimism through the sunny portrayal of blooming lotus in a lake: she awaits effortlessly in a boat, but can only catches a glimpse at the royal house afar. “Autumn” depicts the yearning heart of a young woman: under the moonlight and feeling the soft blow of autumn wind, she laments the passing of time and wishes the safe return of her loved one from war. “Winter” describes an anxious woman sewing a winter coat late at midnight: she dreams the coat will be sent to her husband, keeping him warm and safe from the brutal winter wind in a war zone.
The vocal line captures the bleak but romantic poetic essence of the stories. The piano accompaniment is written in a dramatic manner, coloristic and dynamic. Music evolves from the lyrical and impressionistic figures in “Spring”, to the intense and angular gestures in “Winter”. The centered voice of a female character reminiscences elements of Kunqu opera, an old form of Chinese opera of passionate and melodious character.
Alice Ho

子夜四時歌 李白
春歌
秦地羅敷女 采桑綠水邊
素手青條上 紅妝白日鮮
蠶飢妾欲去 五馬莫留連

夏歌
鏡湖三百里 菡萏發荷花
五月西施采 人看隘若耶
回舟不待月 歸去越王家

秋歌
長安一片月 萬戶擣衣聲
秋風吹不盡 總是玉關情
何日平胡虜 良人罷遠征

冬歌
明朝驛使發 一夜絮征袍
素手抽鍼冷 那堪把剪刀
裁縫寄遠道 幾日到臨洮

SPRING
The lovely Lo Fo of the western land
Plucks mulberry leaves by the waterside.
Across the green boughs stretches out her white hand;
In golden sunshine her rosy robe is dyed.
"my silkworms are hungry, I cannot stay.
Tarry not with your five-horse cab, I pray."

SUMMER
On Mirror Lake outspread for miles and miles,
The lotus lilies in full blossom teem.
In fifth moon Xi Shi gathers them with smiles,
Watchers o'erwhelm the bank of Yuoye Stream.
Her boat turns back without waiting moonrise
To royal house amid amorous sighs.

AUTUMN
A slip of the moon hangs over the capital;
Ten thousand washing-mallets are pounding;
And the autumn wind is blowing my heart
For ever and ever toward the Jade Pass....
Oh, when will the Tartar troops be conquered,
And my husband come back from the long campaign!

WINTER
The courier will depart next day, she's told.
She sews a warrior's gown all night.
Her fingers feel the needle cold.
How can she hold the scissors tight?
The work is done, she sends it far away.
When will it reach the town where warriors stay?