Drinking Alone Under the Moon was commissioned by the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre for the multi-arts festival Harvest of Endurance, based on the scroll of the same name.
Harvest of Endurance is a 50-metre-long scroll that represents two centuries of Chinese contact with, and emigration to, Australia. Stories of hardship and survival, resourcefulness and reward are painted in the traditional gong bi style. Artist Mo Xiangyi, assisted by Wang Jingwen, painted the scroll. Harvest of endurance
Paul was inspired to compose a piece based on Chinese Poetry, particularly the classics from the 8th Century, as they so often describe the journey of life. As Paul usually writes his own lyrics, it is always a joy to work with another writers prose, especially a classic. Paul has always loved the Poem Drinking Alone Under the Moon by Li Bai.
Li Bai (705 – 762), also known as Li Po, was a Chinese poet acclaimed from his own day to the present as a genius and romantic figure who took traditional poetic forms to new heights. He and his friend Du Fu (712–770) were the two most prominent figures in the flourishing of Chinese poetry in the mid-Tang Dynasty.
The piece is written for 6 part choir with Flute (preferably Chinese) and Cello or erhu.