Piano Concerto No. 1 (2006-07) I Movement

Piano Concerto No. 1 (2006-07) Composer: GAO Ping Piano: GAO Ping New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Kenneth Young Wellington Town Hall, 2008 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (2006-2007) is untitled but the music is hardly “absolute”. On the contrary, it is often extroverted, evocative, and full of passionate expression. The piece is both a concerto, in terms of the amount of writing for the piano (including three extended cadenzas), and also a symphony since it has an equally demanding role for the orchestra. The relationship between the two forces alternates between independence and embracement. The first movement, in moderate tempo, is lyrical in nature and evolves around singing lines. The melodic style shares similarities with the music of some of the nationalities of Southern China, for example, of the Miao people. The second movement has a long slow introduction which unfolds from a series of mysterious chords. They form the basis for the rest of the movement that becomes fast and virtuosic, combining dancing rhythms and long melodic lines. The whole work evokes an atmosphere of songs and dances of ancient times. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra was commissioned by Professor Jack Richards who is an ardent supporter of New Zealand music. I played the 1st performance with New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Keneth Young in the Wellington Town Hall in May 2008. (Gao Ping) 《钢琴协奏曲》 （2006-2007）没有标题，但并不是所谓的“绝对音乐”（absolute music）。其实，作品的声音世界里不乏能引起联想的意象，而且常常流溢出外向而激荡的表情。 钢琴部分有理所当然的重要地位，几段相当长度的“华彩”尤为显著。但这是一部协奏曲和交响乐形式参半的作品。钢琴独奏和乐队在作品中不断交换角色，时而独立，时而交织。 第一乐章围绕着歌唱般的线式乐思铺展而开。旋律略带南方民族（如苗族）的抒情风味。 亦歌亦舞、沸沸扬扬的第二乐章以篇幅较长的“引子”开始。一系列带有神秘色彩的和弦逐渐显现，成为该乐章的核心素材，以类似“恰空”的方式扩展开来。 钢琴协奏曲受新西兰著名的音乐活动家、资助者Jack Richards教授委约写作。2008年5月，我担任独奏，Kenneth Young指挥，与新西兰国家交响乐团在惠灵顿市政音乐厅做了此曲的首次演出。