The most interesting period for me within the six categories of the Western Art Music is 20th century period, because this period of music is the current music. It is easy for me to understand because we are exposed in this kind of music environment every day.
I chose “The Butterfly Lovers” Violin Concerto to listen.
This music was written in 1950’s by two Chinese composers He Zhanhao and Cheng Gang. It was an isolated period in China; Chinese communist government prohibited its people to have any contact with Western Music. But composers took Chinese folk music elements then melted into the concerto. Just as the text book talks about the music is a transformative agency. Although it used the western instrument such as violin, flute and cello as its material; the Chinese society adopted it and find some kinds of emotion and passion from listen it. Within this concerto many people see their own past and memories. It can relate to the injustice, powerlessness, resistance, struggles and try to pursuit for a better life. When I listen the first part of the music, the sound of violin let me feel I’m in the picture of Chinese beautiful natural scene. Then the flute joins in, I can image the joy and romance between those two lovers. At the end the cello seems represent the sad and disappointment.
