Adam Simmons - The Kites of Tianjin 2017
The fifth and final of "The Usefulness of Art" concert series 2017-2018
“The Kites of Tianjin”, a fresh, new work by Adam Simmons, inspired by the Chinese city’s renowned “Wei Kites”, created by Wei Yuantai (1872-1961) who made kites for the Emperor and whose great-grandson, Wei Guoqiu, continues the tradition today. Wang Zheng-Ting and Adam were treated with great hospitality by Wei Guoqiu during their visit to Tianjin in April this year.
“The work explores the idea of breath giving life – the way the wind brings a kite to life, the way sound is created by blowing, and indeed the way we rely on breath throughout our lives. I feel that in a way all of my instrumental learning has been simply about learning to breathe. Using the kite as a metaphor for existence, one can visualise the challenge of negotiating the unknown, harnessing the uncontrollable, yet still we seek ways to give our dreams flight.
- Adam Simmons
1. Can you see the wind?
2. Bamboo, paper and string
3. A thing of beauty
4. Ready to fly
5. Fengzheng Wei over Tianjin skies
6. Free as the birds
7. The art of breath
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credits
released November 19, 2018
Overall concept and composed by Adam Simmons except Track 5 composed by Adam Simmons and Wang Zheng-Ting
Performed by
Wang Zheng-Ting – sheng
Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble:
Adam Simmons – shakuhachi, tenor saxophone, alto flute
Cara Taber – alto saxophone, flute
Gideon Brazil – tenor saxophone, flute, alto flute, piccolo
Paul Simmons – soprano saxophone, bass flute
Sam Boon – baritone saxophone, flute
Gemma Horbury – trumpet
Gavin Cornish – trumpet
Bryn Hills – trombone
Howard Cairns – double bass
Niko Schauble – drums
Nat Grant – drums, glockenspiel
Carmen Chan – marimba
David Brown – guitar
Pete Lawler – space drum
Wang Zheng-Ting – sheng
Kites by Rachaeldaisy
Visual projection by Jean Poole
Costume design by Christine Crawshaw
Initial Dramaturgy by Sally Blackwood
Recorded by Myles Mumford at fortyfivedownstairs, May 5-6, 2018
Graphic Design by Celsius Design
Photography by Sarah Walker
Special thanks to
- Wei Guoqiu for his passion and generous spirit
- Mary Lou and all of the wonderful staff at fortyfivedownstairs
- Brian Ritchie, David Jones, Ian Pidd and Owen McKern for support of this endeavour and many others.
This project is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program.
