Composed between the years 2022-2023, Artistic Inspirations is a song cycle based on a series of paintings by various painting masters. The poet himself is an artstic intellectual, having well versed in painting and poetry. The poems were later printed as Sonnets For Pictures.



The paintings are as follows:



1, Virgin & Child By Hans Memling

2.The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine By Hans Memling

3.An Allegorical Dance of Women By Andrea Montega

4.A Venetian Pastoral By Titan

5.Ruggerio Freeing Angelica by Jean Auguste Dominque Ingres

6.Virgin On The Rocks (London Version) By Leonardo Da Vinci

Artistic Inspirations

Temasek is one of the older names of Singapore. Also spelt Temasik, this name dated back to as early in the 13th century and is recorded in the Yuan & Ming dynasties from China. Regionally, this name is stated in the Malay Annals.



This work Temasek is a song cycle that uses Singaporean poet Professor Edwin Thumboo, who is also an exdean from National University Of Singapore's English Language & Literature Department. The poems used are 1. Temasek, 2. Adnan & Comrades, Bukit Chandu and 3. Island. The fist poem, Temasek, uses a part from Singapore's national anthem .The idea of using a part from the national anthem is because the composer thinks in such a way: Temasek is an ancient name of Singapore, then Adnan and comrades, Bukit Chandu takes place in 2nd World War and 3. Island is now modern day Singapore. Also this is a homage to the national anthem composer, Zubir Said.

Temasek

The cherry blossom is an important flower in Japan. Besides signifying as endurance in the ephemeral nature of life, it also symbolizes clouds due to its nature of blooming en masse. Due to its popularity, the cherry blossom is often being used in cultural settings such as poems and music and its name are often used as a personal name in Japanese girls as well. Since the Meiji period, the song has become increasingly popular and the melody itself uses the ‘in’ scale, commonly known as Sakura pentatonic scale which excludes the third and seven notes. Sheet music at https://www.muziksea.com/shop/112-three-asian-folksongs-1-sakura-sakura-ssa.html

Sakura, Sakura (Arr. Xiao Chunyuan)

This piece of work, the lyrics and music are composed by me with chinese orchestral arrangement by famous  Singaporean composer, Mr Phoon Yew Tien.

The title in  English translation means Let Me Sing You A song. The music itself is in d minor.

Please enjoy! 

01 让我唱一首歌给你听（华乐版）

This composition, is written for Baritone solo, Piano, Violin & Cello. First premiered in Republic Polytechnic Cultural Centre Theatre in February last year.

Sang in Chinese. Talks of a man who threw a ring into the sea and his love despair.

遗落的戒指

This Piano solo work, is originally written as a fugual work for a school exam but did not turn out the way it should be. Nevertheless, this work is worth listening!

The bell idea is from our door bell.

Do enjoy!

Performed at Republic Polytechnic Cultural Centre Theatre in February 2011

Ding Dong Bells

琴颂 or Qin Song means Ode to Qin and in this case, the Qin (琴） refers to gu qin (古琴), a traditional chinese instrument and which is under the zither family.

This work, is composed for Soprano Solo, SABr, with Chinese Orchestra and is based on a poem which talks of the poet's ideals on the guqin .

琴颂

Written by upcoming lyricist Teo Kok Keong, 闭上的眼眸 means closing your eyes.

This 6min plus piece will once listened will surely love it!

闭上的眼眸

Three Studies For Solo Flute & Piano- 1st Study

Three Studies For Solo Flute And Piano 1st study

Three Studies For Solo Flute And Piano Second Study

The 1st Movement, written in the style of waltz is composed for my ex-classmate Sheng Lin Xin.


Suite For Oboe & Piano 1st Movement

Being one of the few Singaporean composers specialising in writing art songs & song cycles, Chunyuan is a music graduate from the University of West London, specialising in classical voice & minoring in composition. Due to his works mostly involve poems, he has met with several Singapore poets & has used their poems as part of his compositions. Poets he has worked with include past Cultural medallion winners Emeritus Professor Edwin Thumboo, Professor Wong Yoon Wah, Madam Lew Poo Chuan. [ A note: Cultural Medallion is the highest level of award, hosted by the Singapore government in the field of Arts & Culture.] Besides writing his specialised field of expertise, he also composes various genres, such as orchestra, ensemble & choral. His works are mostly performed in Singapore & Taiwan. Xiao is affiliated to various professional music bodies, such as Composers Society of Singapore, Composers & Authors Society of Singapore and is currently serving as assistant secretariat to Association of Composers (Singapore).

Temasek

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