Performed in Feb 2023 at St Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
“Flute and Drum at Sunset” (夕阳箫鼓, Xīyáng Xiāogǔ) is a Chinese piano piece composed by Wang Jianzhong (王建中). It is inspired by ancient Chinese poetry and traditional folk music, evoking the imagery of a serene yet melancholic sunset scene accompanied by distant flute and drum sounds.
The piece is based on a famous Tang Dynasty poem by Bai Juyi (白居易) and blends traditional Chinese pentatonic melodies with Western Romantic-style harmonies. It features delicate, flowing passages that mimic the sound of a flute, contrasted with deep, resonant chords reminiscent of drums. The music gradually builds in emotional intensity, reflecting both nostalgia and grandeur.
As one of Wang Jianzhong’s most well-known works, this piece is celebrated for its poetic expressiveness and fusion of Eastern and Western musical elements, making it a staple in Chinese piano repertoire.