Shen Yun Performing Arts
  • Om Shen Yun
    The Performance
    New to Shen Yun?
    9 Characteristics of Shen Yun
    Klassisk kinesisk dans
    Symphony Orchestra
    Factsheet
    The Company
    Our Story
    Life at Shen Yun
    Udfordringer vi står overfor
  • Kunstnerne
  • Videoer
  • What’s New
    What’s New
    Nyheder
    Blog
    In the Media
  • Pressemeddelelser
  • FAQ
  • Audience Reviews
  • Learn Newsletter Search
    Norsk
  • English
  • 中文正體
  • 中文简体
  • 日本語
  • 한국어
  • Česky
  • Deutsch
  • Español
  • Français
  • Indonesia
  • Italiano
  • Nederlands
  • Polski
  • Português
  • Latviski
  • Pусский
  • Română
  • Svenska
  • Việt
  • Melayu
  • עברית
  • Norsk
  • Tickets & Info
    Menu
    Shen Yun Logo
    Tickets
    What’s New
    Menu
    • Om Shen Yun
      • New to Shen Yun? 9 Characteristics of Shen Yun Our Story Life at Shen Yun Shen Yun Factsheet Udfordringer vi står overfor Klassisk kinesisk dans Symphony Orchestra
    • Kunstnerne
    • Videoer
    • What’s New
      • What’s New Nyheder Blog In the Media
    • Pressemeddelelser
    • FAQ
    • Audience Reviews
    Shen Yun 9 Characteristics Link Image

    Hvad gør os unikke?

    Opdag de 9 karaktertræk
    • Learn
    • Subscribe
    • Search
    Language
    • English
    • 中文正體
    • 中文简体
    • 日本語
    • 한국어
    • Česky
    • Deutsch
    • Español
    • Français
    • Indonesia
    • Italiano
    • Nederlands
    • Polski
    • Português
    • Latviski
    • Pусский
    • Română
    • Svenska
    • Việt
    • Melayu
    • עברית
    • Norsk
      Nyheder
      Back Nyheder > The Tang Dynasty Depicted in Music

    The Tang Dynasty Depicted in Music

    TWO SYMPHONY COMPOSITIONS SINGING TRIBUTE TO CHINA'S GOLDEN AGE

    Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra musicians are now playing their way across Taiwan and South Korea. Soon they’ll be revisiting Carnegie Hall and other top venues across North America. But before then, we’re here to give you an insider’s look at the 2018 program.

    Each season, the Symphony Orchestra includes classical works by Western composers like Tchaikovsky and Dvořák. But the program’s core is a wide range of original compositions that integrate instruments from the East and West to depict the distinct beauty of traditional China.

    Shen Yun composers find inspiration from different dynasties and age-old legends. Last season, composer Yu Deng wrote The Great Khan. A highlight of the 2017 program, the grand and dynamic piece depicted Kublai Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and his intrepid Mongolian warriors.

    For the 2018 season, Deng arranged a composition about the Tang Dynasty.

    “The Tang Dynasty reigned from the seventh to the tenth century, and was a truly splendid era,” said Deng, “And to depict the whole dynasty in under 10 minutes isn’t an easy job.”

    Here’s a sneak peek at the new composition, Homage to the Great Tang Dynasty:

    The orchestra’s rumbling introduction heralds the rise of a new Son of Heaven. In his youth, Tang Taizong had persuaded his father to rebel against the corrupt Sui Dynasty and establish the Tang Dynasty. Succeeding his father to become the dynasty’s second ruler, Emperor Taizong brought the Middle Kingdom to the heights of civilization in what is now considered China’s cultural golden age.

    In this grand composition, themes shift constantly to mirror the speed of change under Taizong. Combative strains give way to a stately melody, and the striking of the gong brings us to the imperial palace. Foreign emissaries offer tribute as the pipa and erhu play melodies from far-off regions along the Silk Road. Next, dignified bells usher in the harmonies of ancient ritual music (yǎyuè, 雅樂) reserved for ceremonies honoring the heavens. The final resplendent themes express hope that the great Tang Dynasty will forever be honored by future generations.

    Due to the heavy flow of foreign traders and envoys, Tang Dynasty music was heavily influenced by other cultures, especially western neighbors such as Persia and Arabia. Accordingly, some melodies found in Great Tang are written in the dunhuang style.

    Dunhuang (敦煌) was a major outpost on crossroads of the Silk Road. Situated in an oasis on the westernmost frontier of China, it bore witness to abundant cultural exchange between the East and West. Shen Yun musicians find it enlightening to perform uniquely different compositions such as Great Tang, because they provide a window to experiencing the surprising differences between China’s dynasties.

    In addition to premiering this new work featuring the Tang, the Symphony Orchestra is also presenting a piece from the Shen Yun 2018 dance production titled Tang Dynasty Training Ground. This was a male group dance portraying Tang soldiers as they prepare for battle under Emperor Taizong. Known for his military prowess, the emperor was often seen fighting in the vanguard alongside his troops. Martial rhythms from the strings symbolize the discipline and gallantry of the soldiers. In the middle section, a passionate pipa solo represents Taizong personally training a group of elite shieldsmen.

    As a dance, Tang Dynasty Training Ground—filled with gripping techniques, seamless and compelling formation changes, and vigorous energy—was a much-loved part of Shen Yun 2018. As a composition, Training Ground remains one of the Symphony Orchestra musicians’ favorite pieces, and they are excited to share it with the audience in concert form.

     

    Click here to listen to past Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra pieces:
    The Great Khan
    Dunhuang
    Mongolian Bowls
    Plum Blossom


    This October, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra revisits Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Chicago’s Symphony Center, and other top venues across North America. See the full schedule page for performance details.

    • Traditional Chinese Culture
    • Shen Yun Dances
    • Shen Yun Symfoniorkester
    • Historical Anecdotes
    RELATED CONTENT
    • Eric Robins Interview Thumb
      Spicy Music and New Connections
    • Painting Thumb Orchidpavilion
      Behind the Notes: Poets of the Orchid Pavilion
    • Notes Thumb
      Behind the Notes: The Mystical Udumbara
    • Erhu Closerlook Thumb3
      The Erhu - A Closer Look
    • Pipa Thumb
      The Pipa – A Closer Look

    Previous

    Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra Kicks Off 2018 Tour

    Next

    Shen Yun Soloists Conquer the Stage
    Most Recent
    • Feature Article: Principal Dancer Michelle Lian
      MichelleLian Magnifissance Header 650x400
    • 7 måder Shen Yun genopliver autentisk kinesisk kultur på
      7ways Header
    • Beyond the Notes, Episode #1: Dunhuang
      Podcast 650x400 Esp1 Dunhuang2
    • Bag kulisserne med Shen Yun: Intro til Bag noderne
      Podcast Thumbnail 16 9 V2
    • Hvornår er det kinesiske nytår?
      CNY Chineselunarcalendar Thumb
    • Bær elegancen fra 5.000 års historie
      XH Green Thumb
    • Kronik: Hoveddanser Michelle Lian
      Lianxu Header
    • Hvad gør Shen Yuns dans speciel?
      SYPA CCD Han Header
    • Hvad gør Shen Yun unik?
      WhatmakesSYunique Thumb 400x246
    • Et nyt niveau af kontrol
      Luna LD71667 2 Thumb
    Most Popular
    • All
    • Nyheder
    • Blog
    Show More
    Show More
    Show More

    Tags

    • Traditional Chinese Culture
    • Shen Yun Dances
    • Shen Yun Symfoniorkester
    • Historical Anecdotes
    Shen Yun logo golden
    Shen Yun logo golden

    Shen Yun Performing Arts is a premier classical Chinese dance and music company established in New York. It performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dance, and story-based dance, with orchestral accompaniment and solo performers. For 5,000 years, divine culture flourished in the land of China. Through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is reviving this glorious culture. Shen Yun, or 神韻, can be translated as: “The beauty of divine beings dancing.”

    OM
  • New to Shen Yun?
  • Shen Yun Symfoniorkester
  • Life at Shen Yun
  • Shen Yun Factsheet
  • Udfordringer vi står overfor
  • Shen Yun & Spirituality
  • Mød kunstnerne
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Videoer
  • Latest
  • Om Shen Yun
  • The Artists
  • Anmeldelser
  • In the Media
  • What's New
  • Udvalgte
  • Nyheder
  • Blog
  • Anmeldelser
  • In the Media
  • Learn
  • Chinese Dance
  • Music
  • Vocal Music
  • Shen Yun Costumes
  • Digital Projection
  • Shen Yun Props
  • Stories and History
  • Shen Yun and Traditional Chinese Culture
  • Interact with us:
    Follow Us on Gan Jing World
    Sign Our Guestbook
    Get to Know More about Shen Yun
    on Our Streaming Platform
    Arts Proficiency Assessment Center
    Keepsakes and Premium Collections
    Inspired by Shen Yun
    Shen Yun Dancer
    Shen Yun Performing Arts Official Website ©2025 神韻藝術團,版權所有。
    Contact us Terms Privacy Site map