Lyrical woodwind solos, dashing flute and harp, and plush strings are met with traditional Chinese folk music-inspired melodies. “Promise,” a meditative second movement, is a vocalise for those who sought a better future. The violent, percussive poundings that occur from time to time are like blasts of dynamite, evoking the tension and suspense of man versus nature. It begins with “Pulse,” in which rich and expansive strings develop into an exciting pulse of 152 BPM. But those who stayed brought traditional art and music into the fabric of American culture.Īs a Chinese-born composer who immigrated to this country, educated at the nation’s top music schools, and now serving at one of its finest institutions, I was moved to create this work, to tell a musical story, to celebrate human perseverance, and to pay tribute to my own cultural heritage. Unfortunately, as the daunting task of laying tracks over difficult terrain increased, many workers perished, and many of the rest were denied the American dream by the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Numerous “hell on wheels” towns, as described by the Linda Hall Library, “proliferated along the construction route and became famous for rapid growth and infamous for lawlessness.” As the settlements pushed westward, there was a mixing of ethnic groups and cultures. Its cultural heritage includes the contribution of a thousands-strong Chinese and Irish workforce who toiled in severe weather and cruel working conditions. When I learned that 13 American orchestras - many of which located along the route of the Railroad - would join forces together to commission and premiere this new work across the country, I was truly honored, as I knew the significant cultural impact this project would entail.īegun in 1862 and completed in 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad effectively linked the US from east to west for the first time. 3(cbn) / 4331 / timp / 3 perc: xylophone, glockenspiel, vibraphone, crotale, tamtam, snare drum, suspended cymbal, crash cymbal, bass drum / hp / pno / strĢ7 April 2019, Pioneer Center for the Performing ArtsĪ few years ago, I was delighted to have been invited to compose a new work commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion in May 2019. Stanford Symphony, Paul Phillips, Music Director Michigan State University Symphony, Jim Forger, Dean Idaho State-Civic Symphony, Julie Sorensen, Music Director

Omaha Symphony, Thomas Wilkins, Music Directorīoise Philharmonic, Eric Garcia, Music DirectorĪrapahoe Philharmonic, Devin Patrick Hughes, Music DirectorĬheyenne Symphony, William Intriligator, Music DirectorĬhicago Youth Symphony, Allen Tinkham, Music DirectorĬentral Wisconsin Symphony, Patrick Miles, Music DirectorĮvanston Symphony, Lawrence Eckerling, Music Director Utah Symphony, Thierry Fischer, Music Director Reno Philharmonic, Laura Jackson, Music Director, in partnership with

Commissioned by 13 American orchestras in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion:

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