Life Death Tears Dream 【生死淚夢】(2005) – Yawen Wang, lyrics: Xiong Hong 敻虹                                               

In a set of four vignettes, based on the four short poems by Taiwanese contemporary poet Hsiung Hung, the piece completes itself as a song cycle – both musically and philosophically. This recording is the first two movements, which are performed continuously in cycles: life-death-life-death-life. The poetic ideas in the text inspired the musical structure and evocates Gamelan music. This piece was commissioned by the Egret Music Centre to perform with the Orchid Ensemble.

Life
Yellow flowers in the vegetable garden
Are swaying outside the silk
In sunshine
But boys riding bicycles
Do not know how precious life is
Until after
A brush with death

Death
Gently I pick up my hat
To leave
My mind is filled with many words
All whispering:
I still want in the next life
To
Marry
You