WorldView Episode 02: The Butterfly Lovers
He Zhanhao and Chen Gang were grad students at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music when they co-wrote The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto fourteen years after World War Two, ten years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and four years into the war in Vietnam. It tells a timeless story of love and peace based on the Chinese legend known as Liang Zhu. The concerto remains the most recognizable work by both men, now in their eighties, and blends traditional Chinese melodies with Western orchestration.
The legend of the Butterfly Lovers is set in roughly 300 AD and tells the story of two students: Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, a woman disguised as a man. As they grow closer at university, the pair slowly fall in love and Zhu tries several times to reveal her true identity. Before she is able to, Zhu is forced to return home in order to be married to a wealthy merchant named Ma Wencai. Liang spirals into depression after receiving the news, and he passes away shortly before the ceremony. On the day of the wedding, the procession passes Liang’s grave and Zhu is swallowed into the earth; the souls of the two lovers are then released in the form of butterflies, never to be separated again.
He Zhanhao and Chen Gang’s classical, one-movement interpretation of the folktale contains seven distinct sections representing parts of the lovers’ story. The violin solo continues throughout the piece and represents Zhu and her storyline, while a cello performs Liang’s part. Additionally, the composition includes distinct melodies from the Shaoxing Opera and attempts to recreate the sound of traditional Chinese instruments using Western orchestra configurations. In some recent performances, traditional instruments such as the Ehru, Liaquin, and Pipa have been used. In this episode, The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto is performed by violinist Takako Nishizaki, with James Judd and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
WorldView Episode Two Playlist:
William Grant STILL (1895-1978), “Afro-American Symphony”, {Fort Smith Symphony, John Jeter (cond)} - Naxos
George ENESCU (1881-1955), “Aubade”, {Axel Strauss (violin), Ilya Poletaev (piano)} - Naxos
He ZHANHAO (1933-), Chen GANG (1935-), “The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto”, {New Zealand National Symphony Orch, James Judd (cond), Takako Nishizaki (violin)} - Marco Polo
WorldView is a classical music radio show featuring composers from everywhere in the world - except Western Europe. Tune in to hear works by lesser-known artists such as Gabriela Montero and Bright Sheng, and widen your knowledge of classical music. Hinke Younger hosts each week’s episode of WorldView on Mondays at 9AM and again at 6PM on Charlottesvilleclassical.org.