2026-07-17 23:36 UTC
As a result, the vocal lines in these settings are very plain and unadorned. The melodic contours don’t specifically ape the Mandarin tonal inflections of each word, but I was as careful as I could be not to contradict them.
Some listeners who are native Chinese speakers have commented that this sounds very strange to them. Traditional Chinese singing is usually quite florid and not concerned about such things.
4/
@composers@fedigroups.social
Replies (1)
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@mcmullin@musicians.today 2026-07-17 23:45
If this reveals a specifically un-Chinese way of hearing and reacting to this poetry, that doesn’t necessarily bother me—I’m not Chinese, after all, so it’s not surprising if my perspective is different. This is a foreigner’s respectful appreciation. Perhaps respectful in a weird way, but in a sincere and personal way at least. 5/ @composers@fedigroups.social