Drink One More Cup

Chen Qian

The title of this work also appears as Come, Drink One More Cup.

General Info

Year: 2010
Duration: c. 11:50
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Kjos Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $100.00 | Score Only - $10.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II-III-IV
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Percussion, including:

Ban Gu
Bass Drum
Bells
Chimes
CHN Drum
Crash Cymbals
Gong
Snare Drum
Tam-Tam
TangGu
Vibraphone
XiaoBo
XiaoLuo

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

A remarkable and unique selection by one of China's best-known wind ensemble composers, Come, Drink One More Cup is inspired by a classical poem about the pain of parting. Employing a musical language that deftly mixes the traditional sounds of Chinese music --- including a number of Chinese percussion instruments -- with modern compositional technique, the piece will transport audiences to a different land. Filled with stunningly beautiful pentatonic melodies and vast, open vistas of musical space, Mr. Chen's creation offers something for everyone.

- Program note by publisher

Inspired by the famous poem by the well-known Tang poet and musician Wang Wei, this song has many different versions. The main theme is from Parting at the Yang-gian Gate by Zhang-He of the Qin Dynasty (1867). Wang Wei wrote the poem when he said goodbye to his friend to serve in the army at Weicheng, a small town in Yangguan neighboring the border. The poem expresses sadness, loneliness, and deep sorrow because they may never see each other again.

The morning rain at Weicheng dampens the light dust
All the houses and willows look fresh after the rain,
Come, drink one more cup of wine before you leave
After you go west to Yangguan, there will be no more friends.

- Program note from score

Media

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) Concert Band (Cory Near, conductor) - 11 November 2022
University of South Florida (Tampa) Wind Ensemble (Marc Sosnowchik, conductor) - 10 April 2022
University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Wind Ensemble (Thomas Gamboa, conductor) – 19 February 2020
Texas 5A Symphonic Band (Kevin Geraldi, conductor) - 15 February 2020 (2020 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
The Hartt Omni Wind Ensemble (West Hartford, Conn.) (James E. Jackson III, conductor) – 8 December 2018
University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Symphonic Band (J. Benjamin Jones, conductor) – 4 October 2018
University of Arizona (Tucson) Wind Ensemble (Chad R. Nicholson, conductor) – 20 September 2018
Austin (Tx.) Civic Wind Ensemble (Robert Laguna, conductor) - 13 May 2018
State University of New York, Fredonia, Concert Band (Guangzhao Huang, conductor) – 20 April 2018
Sichuan Conservatory of Music Band (Chengdu, China) (Lee Tian Lee, conductor) - 22 December 2017 (2017 Midwest Clinic)
University of Texas, Arlington, Wind Symphony (Douglas Stotter, conductor) – 22 September 2017
Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tn.) Wind Symphony (Thomas Verrier, conductor) - 9 May 2015
Golden-Sail Symphonic Band of Beijing (China) Bayi High School (Yu Hai, conductor) – 20 December 2012 (2012 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Ambush!
Chinese Folk Song Collection 2 (2017/2019)
Crazy Man
Drink One More Cup (2010)
Exploits
A Lovely Rose (2004)
Moon Reflection from Erquan
The Origin of Happiness
Unknown Heroes

Resources

The Horizon Leans Forward..., compiled and edited by Erik Kar Jun Leung, GIA Publications, 2021, p. 287.
Perusal score