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Alice Ping Yee Ho (b. 1960)
The Phantom Bird of Han
Composed: 2022
Premiered: 2023, Halifax
Duration: 11 minutes

The Phantom Bird of Han refers to the Chinese mythological beast the “Golden Crow” – a divine bird that symbolizes the Fire and the Sun, it is also the reincarnation of the youngest princess Nüwa of the Yellow Emperor of the early Han Dynasty, who was tragically drowned while playing in the Eastern Sea. After her death, Nüwa transformed into to a Spirit-Guardian bird with burning feathers. For thousands of years, she carried twigs and stones from the Western Mountains to fill up the entire Eastern Sea to protect humans from drowning, and became a symbol of strength and dogged determination. Fascinated by the myth’s essence of rebirth and will to overcome tragedies, I was inspired to compose a tone poem that signifies revitalization and eternity, as well as celebrates the spirit of hope and perseverance.

This 11-minute composition has two connected movements. Music evolves from a haunting and mournful introduction to a second movement of great vibrancy and energy, unfolding the story of the Princess who rises from devastated death to a brilliant rebirth. The highly animated and percussive second movement symbolizes renewed vigour and beauty. It also has a special reference from an ancient Chinese poem by Táo Qián, in which it captures the images of the Golden Crow with twigs filling up the deep-blue sea. While looking up in heaven, she marvels at the defiant dance of the decapitated Chinese deity Xingtia showing off his spear and axe to fight against the Supreme Divinity. The music is through composed, transforming from a number of “leitmotivs” of idiosyncratic melodic lines, rhythmic figures, and instrumental colours. It also includes some unconventional performance approaches like extensive pitch bending and group vocalization to evoke ancient voices.

I hope this composition will spark the audiences’ imagination of a beautiful metamorphosis in an ancient magical world, voyaging through time, adventuring peace and chaos, sadness and triumphs. 

Program note by Alice Ping Yee Ho.

Alice Ping Yee Ho (b. 1960)
The Phantom Bird of Han
Composed: 2022
Premiered: 2023, Halifax
Duration: 11 minutes

The Phantom Bird of Han refers to the Chinese mythological beast the “Golden Crow” – a divine bird that symbolizes the Fire and the Sun, it is also the reincarnation of the youngest princess Nüwa of the Yellow Emperor of the early Han Dynasty, who was tragically drowned while playing in the Eastern Sea. After her death, Nüwa transformed into to a Spirit-Guardian bird with burning feathers. For thousands of years, she carried twigs and stones from the Western Mountains to fill up the entire Eastern Sea to protect humans from drowning, and became a symbol of strength and dogged determination. Fascinated by the myth’s essence of rebirth and will to overcome tragedies, I was inspired to compose a tone poem that signifies revitalization and eternity, as well as celebrates the spirit of hope and perseverance.

This 11-minute composition has two connected movements. Music evolves from a haunting and mournful introduction to a second movement of great vibrancy and energy, unfolding the story of the Princess who rises from devastated death to a brilliant rebirth. The highly animated and percussive second movement symbolizes renewed vigour and beauty. It also has a special reference from an ancient Chinese poem by Táo Qián, in which it captures the images of the Golden Crow with twigs filling up the deep-blue sea. While looking up in heaven, she marvels at the defiant dance of the decapitated Chinese deity Xingtia showing off his spear and axe to fight against the Supreme Divinity. The music is through composed, transforming from a number of “leitmotivs” of idiosyncratic melodic lines, rhythmic figures, and instrumental colours. It also includes some unconventional performance approaches like extensive pitch bending and group vocalization to evoke ancient voices.

I hope this composition will spark the audiences’ imagination of a beautiful metamorphosis in an ancient magical world, voyaging through time, adventuring peace and chaos, sadness and triumphs. 

Program note by Alice Ping Yee Ho.