I. Crying Bird   [5'30"]   
                       II. Plowing Song [4'30"]   

    Duration: 10 minutes
      Commission: by the Hanson Institute for American Music 
                                  of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester 
                                  for Susan Tang
      Discography: "Formosa Caprices"--Chih-Long Hu, piano (Blue Griffin Recording, 2008)

       Performances:                                                                                               
                   May 19, 2007       Susan Tang Recital (Carnegie-Weill Hall, New York, NY)
                                                                 Susan Tang, piano  (World Premiere)  
                                     Listen: Mvt I: Crying Bird    Mvt. II: Plowing Song
                  May 19, 2007              5th Annual Taiwanese Music Festival
                                                       presented by the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization (MiTAI)                                                        (Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI)
                                                                 Angela Wu, piano
                  October 22, 2007       Composers' Forum (Britton Recital Hall, Ann Arbor, MI)
                                                                 Ming-Hsiu Yen, piano
                  October 27, 2007       Music of Taiwan (First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, MI)
                                                                 Ming-Hsiu Yen, piano
                  November 6, 2007     Third Street Music School (Third Street Music School)
                                                                 Susan Tang, piano
                  January 19, 2008        Collage Concert 2008 (Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI)
                                                                 (Excerpts from the 2nd movement)
                                                                  Ming-Hsiu Yen, piano
                  April 3, 2009               Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI) National Conference (Santa Fe Complex, Santa Fe, NM)
                                                                 Ming-Hsiu Yen, piano

        Program note:   

“Two Old Postcards from Formosa” contains two movements.  Each is based on a different Taiwanese folk song, and each captures an image of Taiwanese history.  To me, folk songs are the authentic “diaries” that preserve the memories of the life and experiences of the people.  As the composition unfolds, I hope the music will transport the audience to the world that inspired these poignant songs. 

The first movement, “Crying Bird” is based on the folk song, “A Chu-Chu Crying Bird” (一隻鳥仔哮啾啾).  The song was created during the period of Japanese colonialism in Taiwan.  “Who broke and stole my nest [country]? If I catch you, I will not let you go.”  Its text uses symbolism to refer to the suffering of Taiwanese people under the Japanese occupation.  Unlike many Taiwanese folk songs that are based on the pentatonic scale, this song is unique in its use of the minor triad, which expresses the mood of hopeless very well.

The second movement, “Plowing Song” (駛犁歌) is the title of a song, whose origin can be traced back to the local dance-theater music.  The song describes a farmer who is plowing the field by pushing an ox under the burning sun, and it also sends a message of “no pain, no gain,” encouraging people to work hard.  To me, because of Taiwan’s current political struggle in achieving recognition with the United Nations and many other international organizations, Taiwanese people can be symbolized by the farmer in the song.  I hope this piece will encourage Taiwanese people to continue fighting and never give up. 

“Two Old Postcards from Formosa” was commissioned by the Hanson Institute for American Music of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester for pianist, Susan Tang.