A Folktale of the Four Dragons 四龙传说
for Flute and String Quartet (2013) Op.29
Duration:
[12']
Instrumentation:
for Flute and String Quartet
Premiere:
Premiere Performance by Ensemble UnitedBerlin
Commissioned by Soundscape Eastasia Festival & Siemens Music Foundation
Notes about the work:
This piece is inspired by the Chinese folktale “The Four Dragons”, which tells the poignant story of the four dragons who sacrificed themselves to save the people on earth. In Chinese culture, the dragon holds a significant place as the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac and the only mythical creature among its twelve signs.
In Chinese mythology, dragons are revered as divine and celestial beings, possessing a unique blend of features from nine different animals: the eyes of a shrimp, the mouth of a bull, the nose of a dog, the antlers of a deer, the whiskers of a catfish, the mane of a lion, the tail of a snake, the scales of a fish, and the claws of an eagle. This extraordinary combination symbolizes the dragon's power, strenth, and auspicious nature, making it a representation of good fortune and potent energy.
This piece was composed to celebrate the birth of my son, Steven Wen Sun, who arrived at the end of November 2012, which was the Chinese "Dragon" year. The original version was crafted for flute and string quartet, and I have created a new version for string quartet, which was premiered in 2024, also in the year of the Dragon.
Through this work, I aim to honor both the rich cultural heritage of the dragon and the personal joy of welcoming my son into the world.