Lin-Shanghai Impressions-M

Shanghai Impressions depicts my observations of this cosmopolitan Chinese megacity over the past two years. Shanghai is a city incorporating various cultures, and developed in traditional and modern styles. Walking along the east and west bunds of Huangpu River, you may feel clear differences in the atmosphere of the two adjoining neighborhoods built in separate eras. The subway and aboveground transport are always packed with residents and visitors.

Shanghai Impressions uses the entire five octaves of the marimba. The pentatonic (Chinese) and diatonic (western) scales in the upper and lower voices are coordinated to reflect the contrasts and similarities to each other. The theme represents the traditional side of China. The middle section represents Chinese drumming, the hustle-bustle streets of Shanghai, the jazz music in hotels, with the bell-sound melody imitating the hour-telling bell nearby the Bund. The coda represents the very delicate Er-Hu melody performed by a random street entertainer.
- Wei-Chen Lin

Number of players: 1
Difficulty: Advanced

Instrumentation: Marimba (5 octave)