River's South for String Orchestra

 

"River’s South" draws inspiration from a Chinese poem of the same title, written in 839 AD by Bai Juyi, one of the most celebrated poets of the Tang Dynasty. In this poem, Bai evokes idyllic images of the south bank of the Yangtze River, imbued with a deep sense of nostalgia. My piece echoes this melancholic longing—where the beauty of the landscape, no longer present before the poet’s eyes, exists only as a wistful memory.

 

Text：

 

Fabulous river’s south, familiar scene.

The rising sun dyes the water blazingly red,

The spring radiance paints the water azure blue,

How can I not miss river’s south?

 

Remembering river’s south, I miss Hangzhou the most.

Picking the sweet Osmanthus in the mountain temple under the moon,  

Watching waves in the eastern pavilion,

When can I revisit?

 

Remembering river’s south, I miss the Wu palace the next.

The exquisite bamboo green liquor, 

The intoxicating beauty of the dancing ladies,

When do we meet again?