SHENGNAN CAO
Orchestra
Fantasia Nirvana (2021) for orchestra premiered in 2021.9 by China NCPA orchestra in Beijing Duration: 12'38'' Every piece of everyone, of everything you love, of everything you hate, of the thing you hold most precious, was assembled by the forces of nature in the first few minutes of the life of the universe, transformed in the hearts of stars, or created in their fiery deaths. And when people die, those pieces will be returned to the universe in the endless cycle of death and rebirth.
Monstre Charmant (2019) for orchestra premiered in 2019.3 by MSM orchestra in New York City Duration: 9'55'' Notes: The piece is dedicated to Serena. Represents her innermost affection, a dramatically emotional reflection of love, entanglement, and year. She opened Pandora's box, left in her most profound inspiration containing depression, sickness, death, and many other unspecified evils, which were then released into the world. But she safeguards hope and faith until the day.
Ode to Twilight River (2017) for orchestra premiered in 2017.5 by China Youth Symphony Orchestra in Beijing Duration: 8'16'' Notes: The water is overspread with a sunset glow, Thus half of it is emerald and half red. Who loves the eve of the ninth month, The dew pearls, the moon shines like a bow.
Picture of the Forest (2017) for orchestra premiered in 2017.5 by China NCPA orchestra in Beijing Duration: 13'08'' Notes: The Goblins of Wood, from "Classic of Mountains and Seas,” called Jun Ren. An enormous group of goblins in the forest symbolizes the flourishing and decline of the forests. They are proficient in witchcraft, and they flash in the woods gleamingly. The Monster of Mountains and Trees, From "Classic of Mountains and Seas", called Fu Zhu. A giant deer, determines the life and death of the forests. Under the protection of The Monster of Mountains and Trees, lives flourish endlessly. After reading the legendary Chinese mythic book "Classic of Mountains and Seas", the various figures in the myths, such as gods and spirits, goblins, beasts, and ghosts, make me highly unforgettable. It is such a pleasure to imagine their distinct personalities and figurations. The inspiration for this work is from the two characters in the text, The Monster of Mountains and Trees and The Goblins of Wood. They are entirely different figures. The Monster of Mountains and Trees cannot work without The Goblins of Wood's support; similarly, without The Monster of Mountains and Trees, The Goblins of Wood are unable to exist on their own. Every entity in this world has a unique position and function.