The numerical musical notation is applied here: 3-1-4 is equivalent to mi do fa. The 3-1-4 configuration references the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which consists of ‘3’ cable-stayed bridges, ‘1’ undersea tunnel, and ‘4’ artificial islands. When the Bridge was completed, the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao reachable by the one-hour living circle also became feasible. It marked the beginning of a new epoch. As the prelude of Trail of the Blue Dragon, The Dragon in the Ninth Heaven is performed with physical arrangements of instruments that emitted the three notes 3-1-4 or mi do fa in various positions of the concert hall. The forms and shapes of the bridges come alive in the music; the dialogue between the percussion group and the drums conjured up a cityscape through the acoustic arrangement. The awe-inspiring ambiance and sounds echo around the audience in the arena, calling up the riveting national spirit that is all-embracing, accommodating, and forward-looking as we ring in the new era. 

Opening recitation:
At daybreak in the east, the blue dragon flies over the Lingding Channel.
Golden clouds paint over the bleakness of yore.
The ancient post bids a quiet farewell to a hundred years.
Blooming in all its glory is the Greater Bay of Southern Guangdong.
A thousand sails hoisted, invigorated with wings.

This qin is designed according to the Taichi yin-yang theory, with some reference to the shape of the sheep-horn bell excavated in the Lingnan region and the wok-handle shaped walls of Lingnan architecture. The instrument can be played on the obverse and the reverse sides with sound visualisation effect. Lights can be triggered by or synchronised with the sound.

The people of Lingnan have since ancient times lived by the water. Their daily life, language, habitats and entertainments are all closely related to it. This water culture that embodies rivers, streams, springs, seas and lakes have also given rise to various cultural concepts and images in the form of bridges, boats, teas, wines, soups and congees. This piece features the zheng, an instrument best suited for the sounds of flowing water, and R&D ecological musical instruments as the leading instruments. With the Cantonese folk song Rain Is Coming from the Sky as the basic theme, it depicts the footprints of the change of the times as well as innovations and developments of different eras by the progressive modulations of the music played by the orchestra.

Unique Instrument(s) / Sound Installation(s)
Ecological instrument ‘Chant of Azure Water’
The element of water in Lingnan culture inspired this design. The instrument is made of compressed sheets of irregular shaped clear acrylic, forming the flowing water look of drifted objects. The sound of the instrument also triggers the light bands on the side of the instrument, enhancing the visual effect.



Water interactive installation ‘The Highest State of Good is Like Water’
A water instrument played through interactions between the performer, water and light.

There is an observation that “Where there are Chinese people, there will be lion dance and dragon dance”. At various festivals, celebrations, deities’ birthdays and Taoist jiaos during the year, the ‘fire dragon dance’ in Hong Kong and the ‘drunken dragon’ in Macao, Zhongshan and Zhuhai are probably the most spectacular. While the dragon dancers showcase their stunning martial skill of torso-bending and agile moves prompted by the gongs and drums typical of the Southern Fist martial arts genre, the meaning of this dance has already transcended the folk worshipping functions of thanking the gods. Rather, it has become an affirmation of the local people’s will to preserve their folk culture as well as an expression of the spirit of unity and cooperation. This piece features three portable wind instruments - the suona, guan and sheng. Through either rest or motion on the stage and improvised synching with pre-arranged percussion sounds and rhythms, it shows the spirit of preservation and the passing on of local culture.

Boasting a history of over 2000 years, the Yue dialect is also known as the Cantonese dialect, baihua or the Tang dialect. In everyday exchange, it can be playful, mean, witty or humorous as well as rich in imagery. The Cantonese vernacular is not only down to earth; it also reflects the optimism of the Cantonese people towards life. This piece features the yehu as the lead instrument, supported by xiao, pipa, zheng and the muyu wood block in the traditional Nanyin storytelling. The music is complemented with interactive ecological sound and light installations to simulate a sage in a courtyard recounting the story of the Greater Bay Area and his insights into its recent developments.

Inspired by the cultural elements of water, mountain, bamboo and rocks of Lingnan, special effects are enhanced through the interaction of the performer with the light and sound of the installation. The ripples radiate from the waterdrop sculpture, and the slow-moving light beams on the bamboo trees are symbolic of the Lingnan landscape nourished by water.

Mahjong is arguably the most representative pastime in the Chinese game culture. It is also closely linked to the five elements in Chinese culture, the number “3” according to The Book of Changes from which all things on earth have derived, or even the qimen dunjia Taoist magic. The three basic suits of mahjong – dots, bamboos and characters – embody innumerable combinations. Players in the game are likened to skilled martial artists fighting one another, where only those who deploy ingenious strategy, gauge the situation correctly, make the right moves and have the situation under their control will be the masters. There are four sections to this piece, each characterised by different musical instruments for the dots (handpan), bamboos (shakuhachi) and characters (percussion) respectively, and the symphonic end.

Unique Instrument(s) 
Ecological sound interactive installation ‘Sparkle Sparkle’
Water, which symbolises ‘Wealth’ in Guangdong, enriches the land through the dense voice of handpan and enlightens the people.

 

There is a Cantonese saying that “once tasted, always going back for it”. The flavour of a certain food makes us remember a place, and it may even become the hallmark or symbol of a city. The cuisine in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao is mainly Cantonese, but over the years it has also incorporated the gastronomic essence of other regions, including Western recipes, and set high standards for the pursuit of excellence that requires an immaculate play on colour, aroma, taste, form and utensil. This piece has local cuisine as its central theme and is interwoven with pre-recorded peddling calls and clanging sounds of kitchen utensils, and through the story-telling sanxian’s myriad timbres, the dynamic installation Taste Buds Coming Alive, and rapport from the orchestra, it showcases the highest gastronomic domain embraced by the cooks of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, which is “fish that tastes like fish, and chicken that tastes like chicken.”

Monologue
That’s great!

Ladies and gentlemen, as the saying goes, “Have a good meal and never forget it.”

A smell can make us remember a place,
and this taste will even become a city’s mark or unique symbol.

The delicacies of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao also have their own unique taste landscape!
 
Cooking is the same as composing and playing music,
we must pay attention to the original materials,
and also knife work, heat, colour and fragrance.

Among so many delicacies, what do we Greater Bay Area people like the most?
Needless to say, it’s chicken! Whoa !

Steam! Stew! Cook! Fry!

Soy Sauce Chicken, Steamed Glutinous Rice with Chicken, Spicy Chicken.
No Chicken No fit, Chi-chi- chi-chi-chi-chi-chicken.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, Chi-chi-chi-chi ‡chicken.
I love chicken!

In the Pearl River Delta, there are dense rivers and lots of rain,
we have good water and good fish,
so, the master chefs are striving for the best savoriness,
which is also very flavorful!

There are at least hundreds of ways to cook fresh fish.
Wow! It’s really mind blowing when I think about it!
 
Whoa! The kitchen next door starts cooking again!
Let’s sharpen the knife and cut in different ways!

As everyone knows, fish and mutton are both smelly,
But when they are cooked together,
they can mix and produce an amazing flavour!
Just like the ‘First Love’,
or as the Chinese poem stated:
“Raising my head, I see the moon so bright;
withdrawing my eyes, my nostalgia comes around.”

Due to time constraints, we will end our ‘cooking’ now.
See you in ‘Cook Up Fun’ concert next summer!
Goodbye

Sound Installation(s)
Dynamic Motion Installation ‘Taste Buds Coming Alive’
Using the components ‘fish’ and ‘lamb’, the two characters that make up the character for ‘umami’ in Chinese language, the programmable fishes and lambs dance under the baton of the conductor, creating special audio-visual effects.

With the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the inauguration of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong express rail, and the construction of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao high-speed maglev, a new era is dawning on the transport network linking Hong Kong and the Mainland, and even other parts of the world. From now on, people’s lives and trade and commerce will witness great convenience and immense opportunities, not to mention its momentum for China’s prosperity and development.  This piece uses elements of Cantonese music and gong and drum tunes as its main theme, and through synching with percussions groups and the orchestra on stage, and the progressively accelerating beats and variations, it symbolises a boundless new age, a bright prosperous future and continued vitality for the people.