Score title

Future of Fire

Composer

Zhou Long

More about the composer

Zhou Long

Date

2001

Instrumentation

Chorus SATB, orchestra

Chorus SATB, band

Library copy

Borrow from UMKC Libraries: Vocal Score

Borrow from UMKC Libraries: Band Score

Program note

The Future of Fire is a brief but powerful work. The vibrant scoring creates a feeling of explosive energy from beginning to end with intense bursts from a battery of percussion. The melodic material is taken from a popular and touching love song from Shannxi province in north-western China, which is coupled with rhythmic motives in both the orchestra/wind band and chorus. Folk melodies from this region use intervals of a minor seventh these angular leaps are suited to the dynamic spirit of this work. The chorus sings a vocalise based on repeated syllables that are found in Chinese folk songs, as well as many folk songs from around the world.