The Chinese composer Tan Dun and his compositions for harp

Abstract

Regarded as one of leading composers of the Chinese “New Wave”- the generation of artists, writers and composers that came to international prominence in the early 1980s, Tan Dun’s combination of Chinese ancient arts, contemporary compositional technique and modern media contributes to the uniqueness of his work. This study examines three of Tan’s compositions which are written for harp- “In Distance” (1987), “Circle with Four Trios, Conductor, and Audience” (1992) and “Nu Shu- the Secret Songs of Women” (2013). It explores how Tan rooted his music in his Chinese heritage and appeals to an international music audience at the same time. This study investigates how Tan draw inspirations from Chinese philosophical and cultural traditions, imitating Asian timbre and using familiar Asian musical features recognizable by international audience.