Songs of the Golden Path Piano Trio - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1725630

Songs of the Golden Path is a four movement work based on traditional songs, instrumental music and poetry from Korea. Originally, I had planned to explore folk music from all the natal countries of the Trio's members but was so entranced by Korea's early forms of music and poetry that the work slowly transfomed into a celebration of the country's culture. Each movement takes it title and musical narrative from a poem and the music quotes fragments from both well known folk tunes and lesser known classical pieces performed by ceremonial ensembles.

I. Song of the Winter Blossoms of Baekdu Mountain tells the story of a bachelor and a maiden who fall in love collecting camellia blossoms. There are many versions, both sorrowful and joyful. In one the bachelor drowns as he tries to reach his beloved across the Auraji river: in another, the couple sing of their reunion after a long journey:
'Just as there are many stars in the clear sky, There are many dreams in our heart. There, over there, that mountain is Baedku Mountain, Where, even in the middle of winter days, flowers bloom.' The music is based on the famous song Arirang (My Beloved One) thought to date from c. 1400.

II. Song of the Yellow Birds of Heaven Lake is reputed to be the oldest known Korean song, most likely written by King Yuri of Goguryeo in 17 BC. In it he laments the loss of his favourite concubine Chihui. 'On golden paths, in yellow beams of light I am standing all alone and unattended! All this glory belongs to me - These rice fields, these golden paths! But there is one thing I cannot attain, The one for whom my heart is longing. And here in this tree, two yellow birds love each other. Why do they sing with such joy?' The birds are heard towards the end of the movement, with fragments based on the song of the Oriolus chinensis (black-naped oriole) known for their habit of huddling closely together in pairs.

III. Song of the Monsoon Mists is based on a poem possibly written by a 16th century Korean courtesan. 'Many times I dreamed of your returning steps, But woke to find it was the rain on my window, and the wind in the tree branches. Nervously I wait, silently, and then you breeze in on the mist of the monsoon.'

IV. Song of Bright Moon and the Jade Green Stream was written by Hwang Chin-i, a kisaeng, or Korean geisha (1506-1544). It takes the form of sijo chang, a sung poem often accompanied by the janguu drum and the bamboo flute or daegum (heard towards the end of the movement). The song tells of Jade Green Stream, a prideful Confusion scholar-official who is seduced by Bright Moon: onhearing her song he falls off his mule, unable to resist her! 'Jade Green Stream, don't boast so proud of your easy passing through these blue hills... While Bright Moon fills the empty hills, Why not pause? Then go on, if you can!'

Songs of the Golden Path was written at the request of the Odora Trio for their debut CD recording on Nimbus, June 2022.