by Kay Curry
Northwest Asia Weekly
Mogao Grottoes (Credit: Dunhuang Foundation)
In a series of caves in northern China, there are some of the most fascinating and beautiful Buddhist-related artworks in the world. These Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and their rich and informative paintings and sculptures are the inspiration for composer Tan Dun and the centerpiece of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming performance of “Tan Dun’s Music World” from Nov. 3 to Nov. 13.
Known for the soundtrack of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tan Dun is one of the most recognized and celebrated Chinese composers today. He grew up in Hunan, China, and studied traditional Chinese musical arts such as erhu, funeral music and Peking Opera. Early on, he considered himself a shaman – someone who combined Eastern and Western, traditional and modern forms of music. Tan Dun often uses nature and history as a starting point, and the Symphony Orchestra presents a series of events this month.
Octave 9, cave, Mogao Grottoes (Credit: Dunhuang Foundation)
First, his Passacaglia: Secrets of Wind and Birds will be part of Nature’s Echoes on November 5th. Tan Dun’s “Secret” will combine with the works of four other composers to bring joy to family and friends. their children. Assistant conductor Xia Qing will lead the musicians on an exploration of “the great outdoors” that “inspires creativity, excitement and wonder,” according to the symphony orchestra. “Passacaglia”, a musical form in 17th century Spain, is just one of several examples of Tan Dun’s fusion of ancient forms and his diligence and dedication to his musical heritage in all its exciting changes.
Next, on November 10-12, as part of the symphony “Master Series”, “The Passion of the Buddha” will delight audiences with sounds that may not have been heard in hundreds of years, because the “passion” performed by Tan Dun is not Around Christianity but around Buddhism – the first of its kind. Traditionally, “passion” corresponds to the life and death of Jesus Christ. However, in Tan Dun’s unique work, the life and status of the Indian Sakyamuni or Sakyamuni is the subject. This historical figure is of course the founder of modern Buddhism.
(Provided by: Dunhuang Foundation)
The Passion of the Buddha is both a continuation of Tan Dun’s life work and a new creation. He has often borrowed from Chinese Buddhism and indigenous religions as well as Christianity in the past. Previously, for example, his “Water Situation” told a religious story, using the quality of water as a symbol of the three stages of Christianity, to a certain extent, Buddhism, spiritual progress – baptism, renewal and resurrection. Tan Dun also returned to his hometown of Hunan, where he recorded music of the Dong, Miao and Tujia nationalities for future generations. “Nu Shu: Women’s Secret Songs,” which he has written for orchestra and harp solo since 2013, includes videos that help document and preserve the disappearing language of this part of China.
For “Buddha’s Passion,” Tan Dun was particularly inspired by the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes series, and even visited in person to immerse himself in the cave experience. The Dunhuang Grottoes are treasures left over from the Great Silk Road era, long forgotten until rediscovered by Taoist priest Wang Yuanlu, a self-proclaimed guardian of the mile-long complex along the Daquan River. In the days of the Silk Road, merchants and religious pilgrims would stop and give thanks in these caves, which contain beautifully colorful images of Buddha and his followers, as well as ancient Chinese and Hindu deities. Using documents found in the cave, as well as past musical scores, Tan Dun composed “The Passion of the Buddha,” which includes vocals and, according to the symphony, “the teachings of the Buddha and the concepts of eternal love, forgiveness, sacrifice, and redemption.”
To accompany Tan Dun’s extensive musical work, which also includes Tan Dun’s “Ghost Play” on November 11, a 360-degree exhibition “Mogao Grottoes: Immersive Experience” will be held for free at Octave 9 on November 9. November 3rd to November 13th. Designed by Greg Downing of Hyperacuity and Eric Hanson of Blueplanet VR, this 12-minute short is largely supported by Dunhuang Foundation board member Mimi Gates, with contributions from helping the creators compile the incredible , viewers will enjoy them in full surround sound and 3D. In this way, viewers will be able to see the beautiful art of the cave in a way that even a visitor in person cannot appreciate. At your leisure, aside from the stressful journey to the caves and any interruptions to tourists, viewers will be captivated by up-close and personal images of the interiors of several of the main caves of the Mogao Grottoes.
Finally, “Ghost Play”, also in Octave Nine, realized Tan Dun’s ideal of becoming an Eastern and Western art and spiritual wizard. A quartet of Andy Liang and Mae Lin for violin, Olivia Chew for viola and Eric Han for cello, “Opera” is reminiscent of Bach and Shakespeare as well as Chinese opera. Accompanying music will include Wang Jiali’s lute, as well as sound effects of stone, water and paper, and according to the orchestra and Tan Dun, aim to create “a dialogue between past and future, nature and spirit”.
All in all, “Tan Dun’s Music World” offers an immersive experience of the natural world and Buddhist theology, just like every piece of music Tan Dun himself composed.
For information visit Seattle Symphony.org/concerttickets.
Kay can reach info@nwasianweekly.com.
