~ Scenes of the ancient Indian epic «Ramayana» retold through music of the Pipa and Chinese orchestra ~
Chua Yew Kok 蔡友国 - Pipa solo 琵琶独奏
Wong Deli 黄德励 - Conductor 指挥
Wang Chenwei 王辰威 - Composer 作曲
世界首演：2016年5月7日于新加坡
World premiere: 7 May 2016 in Singapore
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Read the full synopsis and Sanskrit verses at:
请在以下网页阅读乐曲解说和梵文诵词：
wangchenwei.wo...
Commissioned by pipa soloist Chua Yew Kok specially for this concert, «Rama» is a 15-minute concerto for Pipa and Chinese orchestra inspired by the Indian epic «Rāmāyaṇa» (रामायण) dating back 2000 years, one of the key works of Sanskrit literature which has shaped the culture and performing arts of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The Pipa solo plays the role of the protagonist Rāma. With the orchestra's accompaniment and chanting of Sanskrit verses, main events in the story are depicted in three movements:
I. Book of Ayodhya (Ayodhya Kāṇḍa) अयोध्याकाण्ड
The piece opens in a festive mood as Ayodhya city prepares for the coronation of prince Rāma, whom the old king has just appointed to succeed him. As the people sing praises of Rāma's virtues, queen Kaikeyī (represented by the Banhu), who is not Rāma's birth mother, claims two boons that the king granted her long ago - she demands Rāma to be exiled for 14 years and her own son to be crowned. The king is devastated but cannot go back on his word. Rāma calmly accepts her demand in order to preserve the king's reputation. Rāma's wife and brother choose to accompany him in exile, and the citizens reluctantly send off the trio.
II. Book of the Forest (Araṇya Kāṇḍa) अरण्यकाण्ड
The Gaohu's lyrical, bittersweet melody is the theme of Sītā, Rāma's wife. Rāma's and Sītā's themes interact in counterpoint, portraying their love. Their peaceful life in the forest is interrupted one day by the appearance of a beautiful golden deer (represented by the bamboo flute). Sītā is mesmerized and asks Rāma to capture it. The deer leads Rāma further and further away, until Rāma shoots it, whereupon it reveals its true form as a demon (represented by the alto Suona). The demon imitates Rāma's voice and calls out for help (represented by the pipa in the orchestra), thus luring away Rāma's brother from Sītā's side, leaving Sītā defenceless. Rāma realizes the ploy and rushes back to his forest hut, but Sītā has already disappeared.
III. Book of War (Yuddha Kāṇḍa) युद्धकाण्ड
Rāma and his allies from the monkey kingdom track Sītā to Lanka island (present day Sri Lanka), where she is held captive by the ten-headed demon king Ravana (represented by the suona section). Rāma’s and Ravana’s armies engage in a fierce battle. Finally, Rāma fires a magical arrow and kills Ravana. Rāma reunites with Sītā, and both return to Ayodhya where they are welcomed by elated citizens. Rāma, whose exile period has just ended, ascends the throne and rules over a prosperous kingdom of virtuous people.
Trivia:
The Pipa is tuned to AEEA in this piece instead of the usual ADEA
The rhythm of Rama’s theme is derived from the “anuṣṭubh” meter of Sanskrit poetry
应琶独奏者蔡友国特别为这次音乐会委约创作的琵琶协奏曲《罗摩》时长15分钟，取材于两千年前的印度史诗《罗摩衍那》。这部恢弘的梵文巨著深刻影响了南亚与东南亚的文化和表演艺术，在世界文坛享有崇高地位。
琵琶独奏扮演了主人翁罗摩的角色，随着乐队的伴奏与梵文诗词的念诵，通过三个乐章演绎故事中的几个重大事件。
一、《阿逾陀篇》
乐曲以欢乐的气氛拉开序幕：年迈国王宣布让位给太子罗摩，阿逾陀城正在准备罗摩的加冕典礼。民众歌颂罗摩的美德时，宫廷内却酝酿着阴谋：非罗摩生母的王后（由板胡代表）为了让自己的亲生子继位，胁迫老国王发配罗摩到森林里14年。老国王被逼无奈，悲痛不已。罗摩为使父王不失信义，甘愿被放逐，罗摩之妻和弟弟自愿陪同流放。市民们依依不舍地送走三人。
二、《森林篇》
高胡的凄美旋律是罗摩之妻悉达的主题。罗摩与悉达的主题对位性的交融表现了夫妻间的恩爱。他们在森林里过着简单平静的生活。有一天，一只金鹿出现在他们屋前。悉达被这奇妙的动物迷住了，叫罗摩赶紧把它抓住。金鹿引着罗摩越跑越远，直到罗摩拔箭射中金鹿，使它原形毕露 - 原来那是只妖怪（由中音唢呐代表）伪装的。妖怪模仿罗摩的嗓音高声呼救（由乐队中的琵琶代表），以从悉达身边引走罗摩的弟弟。此时，毫无防卫的悉达单独留在屋中。当罗摩发现中计赶回屋子，悉达已经不见踪影。
三、《战斗篇》
罗摩与猴国的盟军追踪到悉达的下落 - 她被十首魔王（由唢呐组代表）囚禁在楞伽岛（现今的斯里兰卡）。罗摩的军队与罗波那的军队展开激烈的战斗。最后，罗摩以一支神箭射杀了魔王。罗摩与悉达团圆，而此时正是流放期满，罗摩回国登基，阿逾陀城进入太平盛世。
附加信息：
琵琶独奏的定弦为AEEA，即把D弦调高到E
罗摩主题的节奏来自于梵文诗词的anuṣṭubh韵律
21 окт 2024
