Tan Dun - 8 Memories in Water Color (Paperback)

Tan Dun

ISBN 10: 0634073796 / ISBN 13: 9780634073793

Published by Hal Leonard Corporation, Milwaukee, 2004

About this Item

Paperback. (Piano). This eight-movement suite was written by composer Tan Dun when he was a student in 1978-1979, about the time he left his home in Hunan to study at the conservatory in Beijing. He was homesick, and wrote this suite as a diary of his longing, while also being immersed in studying Western classical and modern music. Twenty years after its composition, pianist Lang Lang premiered the suite at the Kennedy Center in 2003, and he also played it at Carnegie Hall, in a performance recorded by Deutsche Grammophon. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780634073793

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Tan Dun - 8 Memories in Water Color (Paperback)
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation, Milwaukee
• Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0634073796
• ISBN 13: 9780634073793
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Eight Memories in Watercolor for Piano Solo by composer Tan Dun is an eight-movement contemporary classical suite for advanced pianists. Written between 1978 and 1979 while the composer was studying away from his home in Hunan, the work reflects themes of memory, longing, and personal reflection while drawing inspiration from Chinese musical traditions and Western classical and modern music. The suite later gained international recognition through performances by Lang Lang, including appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

This edition contains the complete eight-movement suite for piano solo in standard notation, along with introductory text. It presents the music in a clear performance format suitable for focused study, rehearsal, recital preparation, and repertoire collections. The original source identifies the work as SMP Level 10 (Advanced), reflecting its virtuosic technical demands, frequent time signature changes, and highly advanced reading requirements.

Whether exploring Tan Dun's compositional voice, expanding a contemporary classical piano repertoire, or preparing the work for performance, this collection offers an opportunity to engage with one of the composer's most personal early creations. The suite combines expressive lyricism with imaginative textures and vivid musical imagery, rewarding careful interpretation while providing insight into Tan Dun's artistic development.

Song List
Missing Moon * Staccato Beans * Herdboy's Song * Blue Nun * Red Wilderness * Ancient Burial * Floating Clouds * Sunrain

This piano collection makes a meaningful addition to personal music libraries, conservatory repertoire, and studio collections. Whether selected for focused practice, formal performance, or appreciation of Tan Dun's distinctive musical language, this edition preserves an influential work that continues to inspire audiences and performers.