Title: Searching for plum blossoms in the snow

Composer:Huang Zi

Arranger:Yang Hongnian、Yau Yuen-hing

Lyricist:Liu Xuean

Year: June 2005

Genre:

• Large ensemble
• Arrangement
• Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices) with Chinese plucked string orchestra

Call No.: SC1464

Description: "Searching for Plum Blossoms in the Snow" is a song depicting the joy of donkey riding while appreciating flowers in the snow. It was originally written by lyricist Liu Xue'an and composer Huang Zi. These two versions feature Yang Hongnian's choral arrangement and Yau Yuen-hing's orchestral arrangement. The version with three-part treble voice was written for the joint performance by Hong Kong Children's Choir and Hong Kong Youth Chinese Plucked String Orchestra in Scotland. The other version is for the modern Chinese orchestra with a SATB chorus. Marked "Briskly and Freely," the opening of these two versions illustrates a snow scene with the crisp sound of the celesta and the repeatedly vocalized character meng ("misty"). It precedes the main section wherein short instrumental notes are deployed to create a strong sense of rhythmic liveliness, while the chorus is assigned to imitate the sound of donkey bells.

Note:

• Arrangement for chorus and Chinese plucked string orchestra
• Commissioned work
• Composed for the Hong Kong Children's Choir and the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Plucked String Orchestra for the 2005 Aberdeen (UK) Joint Tour. Choir arranged by Yang Hongnian

Instrumentation: bang di (1), qu di (1), gaoyin sheng (1), zhongyin sheng (1), yangqin (1), liuqin (1), pipa (1), zhong ruan (1), da ruan (1), sanxian (1), zheng (1), triangle (1), sleigh bells (1), muyu (1), glockenspiel/xylophone (1), cello (1), double bass (1)