2016 Zong／The Power of Civilization

About the Album

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The Power of Civilization is the spiritual artwork of the twenty-year-old musician, Zong. Living in a material generation with fast-paced fashions, Zong thirsts for spiritual fulfillment, culture and art. The more he learned about the ancient civilizations, the more dazzled and touched he is by the history of cultures. This album is his tribute to the ancient Chinese civilizations.

Cultural heritage is the root of art innovation. Breathtaking sceneries, sublime architectures, multifarious crafts…every single magnificent piece of work is Zong’s inspiration of music. His genuine respect and feelings for these poetic forms of art are expressed through music. This album is his first encounter with the ancient civilizations.

The Power of Civilization combines elements of Chinese and western music. By using instruments from different cultures, Zong’s music crosses time and space. He also attempts to break through musical boundaries, reconstructing music elements after taking them apart first. Zong ventures between notes, creating new stunning tunes.

This album also consists of soundtracks from documentaries by famous 3D film director Charle Chu. The documentaries range from nature to culture, and from the new to the traditional. Zong sometimes uses fierce and powerful music, sometimes light and cheerful music to match the scenes. This young musician creates new life and culture from his encounter with ancient civilizations. Giving the tradition a new face, this album embodies the spirit of ancient cultures.

About the Songs

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1. The Power of Civilization (Theme song for original 3D movie The Beautiful 3D CHINA)

The Power of Civilization starts with the rhythm of stallions trampling under the sunlight through loess plateau. This piece draws the curtain of The Power of Civilization with the image of a movie. Zong’s inspiration comes from ancient civilizations. By utilizing copious amount of instruments, he constructs the elegance of a strong empire which is well-established and in its prime. In terms of its musical form, atypical Chinese pentatonic scale is used with western instruments to represent Chinese tune. Wind instruments are the supporting base; while piccolo adorned the octave of the string instruments. The midpiece stresses on pentatonic scale, emphasizing the grandeur of ancient civilization. With the electronic metal drum, Zong creates mutable rhythms along with the refined core A minor. Lastly, relative chords enrich the harmony of the piece.

2. Eternal Empire

Emulating the openings of epic movies, Eternal Empire opens with the steady tone of the French horn. Ancient civilizations originated along rivers. Through countless wars, and sacrifices of numerous nameless heroes, warriors, intellectuals, citizens, the civilizations were able to be abundant in natural resources, architectures, and cultures, creating an eternal empire.

The theme is carried out in the gentle tunes of string instruments, accompanied by roll outs of side drums, while trumpets and vocals act as the supporting base. The final part of the piece is enhanced by trumpets. Eternal Empire is played out by an orchestra, yet the last note ends with a magnificent Chinese percussion instrument, gong.

3. Beautiful China

Beautiful China is the poetic expression of Zong to the beauty of nature. The traditional Chinese instrument, zither, is the key. Adorned with other western instruments such as harp, and cello, this piece puts you amidst of the forest. The piccolo flute represents the echoes of the mountain, formulating the illusion of the musicals waves of the chirping birds and buzzing insects.

The poetic nature and dreamlike architectures inaugurate our respect for the land, and our will to live in harmony with it. We, as human beings, start to learn how to love other living beings, and how to accept them as part of our lives. Our modern culture learns to live with nature.

4. Craftsmanship

The process of making crafts is a conversation to oneself. Craftsmanship is a piano duet: one as the lead, the other as the accompaniment. The lead represents the self, while the accompaniment symbolizes the flowing of time and the repetition of work. This piece is a tribute to craftsmen who make the invaluable arts. Through conversing with the self, they constantly push their limits to make art, surpassing the old self, seeking perfection. By listening to the voice of self, they create pieces and pieces of impeccable artwork.

Craftsmanship is ABA ternary form. It starts with C major, and then switches to a new chord on part B, showing how craftsmen supersede the conventional form of art and seek new creativity. The final part is back to exploring one’s own feelings, conversing with the self again.

5. The Silk Road

The silk road is the trade route that connected the East and the West. The dried fruits and colorful spices mesmerize the senses. Merchants of various ethnicities gather rarities from all over the world. The hustle and bustle of the markets is the noises of transculturation. This is where the sparkle of civilizations and arts met.

The Silk Road uses the mellotron, makuta drum—which originates from Congo,—and maraca. Mixed with piano, and electronic bass, and modern sound effects, Zong celebrates the harmony when cultures meet on the silk road.

6. Arts in the Study

Arts in the Study tries to capture the creation process of and by the Chinese four treasures of the study: brush, inkstick, paper, and inkstone. Scholars and painters use these four treasures to write and paint. The ancient process of creation, however, also includes the making of the writing or painting tools. It requires much patience, inspiration, and luck in the entire process. The timing must be precise for a perfect piece to form.

Arts in the Study is a piano duet. Two pianos act as the duality of a person in the process of art-making: one as the accompaniment, which ends every section with light notes, while the other piano echoes with the former. It is as if the creator was conversing with oneself, questioning and answering at the same time, going through the most complex debates in order to find a spark of the new.

7. A Bite of Food

A Bite of Food is a competition of delicacies, transforming smell and taste into a fast-paced melody. The food culture of Chinese food has been long and complicated. From original materials to plates and plates of tasty dishes, the cooks have to be precise on the amount of spices, and exact in timing. Cooking is a race against time.

This piece is mainly composed of string instruments and wind instruments, with flute as the focus. With the unique tune of oboes and bassoons, Zong quickens the beat. Adding piano and other string instruments, Zong realizes the speed and efficiency of cooking with mutable melodies. The different roots of chords symbolize the various ingredients, and the fire. The transformation of the food is thus represented by music. Lastly, A Bite of Food ends on a light, casual note. It is meant for the exciting anticipation to dig in to the yummy food on the table.

8. New Moon

In response to Taiwan 3D movie director, Charle Chu, Zong adapts New Moon from his childhood work Yue Wan Wan. The original song is abundant in Chinese tunes. The lyric is about a grandfather humming the old folk songs, imaging the foreign markets in Shanghai, Qian Tang lake, and the Great Wall of China to his grandchildren.

New Moon, however, is completely play by string instruments—double-bass as the accompaniment, and violin as the theme. The tune is lively and cute; while the final part is unexpected, showing the innocent humor and playfulness of the childhood.

9. Reflections

The clear lakes, poetic scenes, towering mountains, and lush plains…all these beautiful natural scenes of China have been inspirations for countless artists for generations.

Reflections is presented in a tranquil atmosphere, as if in the mountains of a Chinese painting. This piece combines the characteristics of music of the East and the West: replacing Chinese harp with the western harp. Using pentatonic scale, two harps, and an elusive theme, Reflections puts the audience into the reflections on the lake surface, and the tranquility of the Chinese paintings.

10. River from the Sky

River is the mother of civilization. All of the ancient civilizations were established alongside a river. The life of the river drove the development of human societies. Being depended upon, rivers are the fountain of human lives.

River from the Sky is a tribute to the mother of civilization, the ancient rivers which have been flowing for thousands of years. The leading piano symbolizes the beginning of civilization. Then, string instruments gradually join, building up the depth of culture and the strength of river currents. The chorus expresses the gratitude towards the rivers. Listen to the rumbling of the great waters! They flow in our veins.

11. Newborn

Newborn starts with long notes of the high-pitched violin. The ensemble of string instruments and piano creates the melody of classic purity and clarity. This piece is inspired by the cycle of life, especially during spring when life sprouts once again.

The continuation of civilization is like the cycle of four seasons and rebirth of life in spring. The most ancient and steadfast civilizations had all suffered through difficult times. If a civilization can last for thousands of years, and withstand climate change and wars, it must have been the people’s will and efforts in passing on, succeeding the roots and tradition. Only with perseverance can a civilization be reborn and strengthened.

12. Dragon and Tiger

Kong Fu is one of the essences of Chinese culture. It consists of unique Chinese philosophy and culture. Its influence extends the past into present day popular culture. Dancing dragon is another extension of kong fu. It is a traditional performance that combines martial arts, dance, and drums. In other words, it is a collective performance of art, culture, religion, beliefs, and traditions.

Dagon and Tiger is an emotional piece dedicated to Chinese martial art, and dancing dragon. It is also the piece which uses the most Chinese instruments in the album. Zither, lute, dulcimer, xiao, cymbal are accompanied by western string instruments and piccolo. The musical form is associated with the theme song, The Power of Civilization, yet with a touch of Chinese instruments. It is a friendly competition between the East and the West.

13. A Taste of Tea

The culture of tea has been long. It has been an integral part of people’s daily lives. To the Chinese population, tea not only is good for health, but also is a spiritual journey, and even art. From picking out the tea leaves, making tea to drinking tea, tea culture is truly an important culture heritage.

A Taste of Tea opens up with the sound of a piano, closely followed by high-pitched string music. Lower-pitched string instruments joins in later; then, the ensemble of piano and cello, with the focus on the cello, enters. The low and steady melody brings upon the soothing and sublime experience brought by drinking tea. The final part of the piece has the feeling of open-endedness, as if the sweet aftertaste never goes away.

14. A Tribute to Her

Asian women play an essential role in the making of traditional handicraft art, ranging from embroidery to papercutting…etc. These delicate artworks reflect how detail-oriented and attentive those women are. Their devotions to handicraft art make it possible for it to pass on over generations, and for us to see it with our own eyes.

Through inviting them to dance, men express their utmost respect. Waltz is performed with the combination of Chinese and western instruments, including the harp, zither, accordion, castanets, and string instruments. Zong boldly inputs the style of Buddhism music in the midpiece. The tune, in general, is up lifting, and celebrates women with joy and respect.

15. Nostalgia

Nostalgia is composed during the first time Zong left his family and went abroad to study in the United States of America. In an alien place, it was his first taste of nostalgia. With all the memories of home, Zong wrote this piece as a tribute to all the people who have to leave their homeland to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.

Nostalgia can be separated into two parts: the former part is an ensemble of piano and string instruments, expressing the unsurmountable home-sickness; the latter part is marked after the timpani. The symphony afterwards creates an epic musical imagery, showing thoughts of home behind the great momentum.

16. Father to Son

Father to Son is composed by San-sheng Chiang, and arranged by Zong. This piece is a father-son collaboration, symbolizing not only the inheritance of their musical career, but also the cultural inheritance of art throughout history.

Father to Son starts with the sound of string instruments and African drums. In the beginning, the tune is gentle and enlightening, as if one is soaring in the sky, looking down at the infinite landscape. Chorus joins during the midpiece, presenting the harmony between man and nature. Finally, the piece ends with the calming sound of piano, indicating the repetition of four seasons. Thus, the genuine understanding of the nature brings us to truly respect the workings of nature.

17. It’s a Wonderful World

It’s a Wonderful World expresses our desire to make the world a better place. Much like the dai-tong ideals in Confucianism, the utopia in our minds consists of a society where people help and care about each other.

Utilizing instruments in folk music, such as guitar, zither, and xiao, this piece is presented as a progressive strophic form. Guitar comes out first, then other string instruments. Zither and xiao embellish the tone color of the music. Lastly, the drum set lifts the spirit of the tone, symbolizing the world peace and a better tomorrow.

18. The Power of Civilization (String Ver.)

Music Composer：Zong Chiang 蔣榮宗
Musicians
Orchestra Leader：朴英、繆樂駿
First Violin：黃娜、王巍、張宗雨、蘇婷
Second fiddle：繆樂駿、田俊俊、楊蚕
Viola：李响、朴紅
Cello：陳少俊、萬旭
Double-Bass：張明
Recorded at Shanghai Broadcast Building Studio上海廣播大廈錄音室
Recording and Mixing Engineer：Tony More 莫家偉