JAVS Fall 2022

Example 10. A Shi Fan Luo Gu ensemble.

the Xian Shi. During the interview with the composer, Dr. Chen mentions that she incorporated the rhythmic patterns from Shi Fan Luo Gu in the viola concerto to give the piece an authentic taste of traditional Chinese music elements. “The Golden Olives” is a rhythmic pattern in Shi Fan Luo Gu; when played in an ensemble, each instrumentalist follows the pattern in a particular order. In Example 11, I list the order in which they play. Qi represents the sound of the drum; N represents the sound of Bo (a small cymbal); T represents the sound of the gong; W represents the sound of the big drum; Y represents the sound of the soft-striking Bangu (a kind of drum); and Z represents the stand gong. The underline on the N, T, and W represents the eighth notes. The players play

from top to bottom with the order below. The drummer plays one quarter note, Bo play two eighth notes and one quarter note, and so on. The shape of the score resembles an olive, hence the name “The Golden Olives.” Example 12. “The Golden Olives” rhythmic pattern, mm. 30-33 of the percussion.

Example 13. “The Golden Olives” rhythmic pattern, mm. 331-335 of the viola.

Example 11. The rhythmic pattern in “The Golden Olives.”

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 38, No. 2, Fall 2022

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