ACM Lunchtime Concert: Musical Exploration of the Tang Shipwreck
13 November 2020 • 12:30pm
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
PROGRAMME
WARES and WAVES
I. Where did the wares in ocean journey go
II. and cobalt, glazed, from kiln to ship, below?
III. In billows jade the colour bright of moss
IV. in waves they fade, like dice they turn and toss.
V. I saw at dusk a fisherman’s torch glare:
VI. on ewers, pitchers, shells, on earthenware;
VII. in splendour whisking rudder on the wave
VIII. for cultures from the past the sea is grave.
ABOUT THIS EVENT
WARES and WAVES is a collaborative project created by the conservatory’s Text and Music class in response to the Tang Shipwreck collection housed at the Asian Civilisations Museum. Curated by Dr. Chen Zhangyi and Dr. Sara Florian, the project features musical Waves corresponding to the lines of Florian’s new poem ‘Wares’, inspired by the Chinese poetry of the Tang period and the Tang Shipwreck. Discovered in 1998 off the coast of Belitung Island, the shipwreck uncovers the interactions of past cultures between Asia and the Middle-east, serving as a fascinating resource for musical creation.
The vast amount of cargo carried on the Arab dhow presents a beautiful array of colours, representative of the aesthetics and demand during 9th century trade along the maritime Silk Road. Distinct colours such as the cobalt blue on white stoneware dishes, the jade-green ceramics of Yue and Gongxian kilns, the snow-white ceramics of Xing kilns, and the Changsha bowls artwork and poetic inscriptions are transformed into visual cues for the music. Out of the metal wares, inspirations are drawn from a bronze lobed mirror with a scholar playing zither, an exquisite golden octagonal cup with musicians and a dancer, and a cracked cymbal. The bone dice, acorn-shaped game pieces, coins, and inkstone gives us some inkling of activities that kept the crew occupied on board – giving further prompts for musical and poetic responses.
The musical performance of Wares and Waves will be accompanied by video clips made by the musicians. Recitations of the newly created poetry and poetry found on the artefacts will stitch together the past and the present, as well as the musical segments, mirroring the unique sewn construction of the ship.
This season, ACM’s Lunchtime Concerts will come to you virtually. Enjoy a livestream of enchanting and thought-provoking music brought to you by the students and faculty from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. This season’s highlights include collaborations by Karst de Jong, Chen Zhangyi, Tony Makarome and Syafiqah ’Adha Sallehin.
13 Nov: Do not miss the last concert of the season, inspired by ACM’s Tang Shipwreck Collection as curated by Dr Chen Zhangyi and his students.
Performances take place every Friday from 12.30pm, from 2 October to 13 November, coming live to you from the ACM Facebook page.
Subscribe to YST’s mailing list.
In partnership with:
TICKETING INFORMATION
• Due to COVID-19 related guidelines, this performance will only be offered virtually.
• All event information is correct at time of print.
Google Calendar 