Category:  Symphonic / Orchestral

Ever since working on the opera MARCO POLO, composed in Chinese and premiered in Guangzhou and Beijing in 2018, I have been fascinated by the enigmatic figure of the Venetian Marco Polo (1254-1324). The concert traces the itinerary of the Silkroad's most famous traveller: From the Arab splendour city of Samarkand in a more Persian-Turkish style, it goes through the dangerous Pamir Mountains, the Taklamakan desert to the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. Finally we are in Hangzhou, the Venice of China... typical of the culture of the traditional Han Chinese.
Fiction and truth lie close together in Marco Polo's travelogue. Questions remain unanswered, but much has been proven. What remains an indisputable fact is a sensational reception history: the travelogue was given the nickname "Il Millione" in Italy because it was the most copied and read book of the Middle Ages after the Bible.
To this day, Marco Polo is regarded in China as the personification of the Silk Road, as a cipher for international friendship and cultural exchange.

Movements: 1: Towards Smarkand / 2: Adventure in the Pamir-Mountains / 3: Crossing the Taklamakan 4: Kublai Khan – Mongolian Conqueror / 5: Beautiful Hangzhou / 6: Finale

Duration: 22 Minutes

Publisher of notes/sheet music: Musikverlag Ries & Erler Berlin , 2022

Instrumentation: Sheng solo
Flöte1+2 (2. auch Piccolo) Englisch Horn, Klarinette (auch Bassklarinette), Fagott, 2 Hörner, Tenorposaune, Harfe, Pauke, Percussion 1+2

(Perc. 1: Bass Drum, Tamtam / Vibraphon / 4 asiatische Drums / temple blocks / metal chimes / Darabuka ; Perc. 2: Marimba, 2 hängende Becken, frame drum bzw. Tamburin / 2 TomTom / Claves / Triangel / Glockenspiel / Small Gong)

Streichorchester mit Vl 1+2, Vla 1+2, Vc 1+2, Kbass

Introduction: Ever since working on the opera MARCO POLO, composed in Chinese and premiered in Guangzhou and Beijing in 2018, I have been fascinated by the enigmatic figure of the Venetian Marco Polo (1254-1324). The concert traces the itinerary of the Silkroad's most famous traveller: From the Arab splendour city of Samarkand in a more Persian-Turkish style, it goes through the dangerous Pamir Mountains, the Taklamakan desert to the Mongol ruler Kublai Khan... who conquered China and defeated the Song Dynasty government and then founded his Yuan Dynasty.... Finally we are in Hangzhou, the beautiful city full of lakes and canals, the Venice of China... typical of the culture of the traditional Han Chinese.
Fiction and truth lie close together in Marco Polo's travelogue. Questions remain unanswered, but much has been proven. It seems certain that he spent 24 years in the Far East, exploring primarily in the service of the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan (1214-1294). What remains an indisputable fact is a sensational reception history: the travelogue was given the nickname "Il Millione" in Italy because it was the most copied and read book of the Middle Ages after the Bible.
To this day, Marco Polo is regarded in China as the personification of the Silk Road, as a cipher for international friendship and cultural exchange.
"Marco Polo goes East" is a variant of a fantasy "The Travels of Marco Polo", which was commissioned and premiered for Sheng and the Chinese Orchestra by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

Dedication: Dedicated to WuWei, - for 25 years of cooperation and friendship.

World premiere:  19.01.2024

Records:  Solo Musica,  2023

Performers on recording: WuWei, Sheng, Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz, conductor: Gabriel Venzago
Recording for the Label SOLO MUSICA in March 2023