The Stream Flows (1990)

Program Note

The Stream Flows for solo violin is commissioned by the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts, for Nai-Yuan Hu, who gave the premiere performance on October 20th, 1990 at the Jorden Hall of the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts.

The first part of the “The Stream Flows” is based on a well-known Chinese folk song from the southern part of China. The freshness and the richness of the tune deeply touched me when I first heard it. Since them I have used it as basic materials in several of my works. Here I hope that the resemblance of the timbre and the tone quality of a female folk singer is evoked by the solo violin. The second part is a fast country dance based on a three-note motive.

THE STREAM FLOWS

The rising moon shines brightly,

It reminds me of my love in the mountains.

Like the moon, you walk in the sky,

As the crystal stream flows down the mountain.

A clear breeze blow up the hill,

My love, do you hear I am calling you?

—Bright Sheng