One of the most popular xaiodiao (“short tunes”) in Chinese urban areas is “Jasmine flower”, a traditional Chinese folk song. The song dates back to the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty and is popular both in China and internationally. In 1924 an Italian composer Giacomo Puccini finished composing the draft of opera Torandot. The tune from “Jasmine Flower” was one of the main musical elements in Opera Torandot. Even though this adaptation was completely composed and performed by foreigners it was strongly based off a traditional Chinese folk song and has many elements that follow Chinese music trends, giving it a Chinese flavour. The debut of the opera in 1926 was a huge success, significantly increasing “Jasmine Flower’s” popularity significantly within western societies. The Qing Chinese Officials in Europe also temporarily used “Jasmine Flower” as the national anthem. There are many versions of this piece; the version I have chosen to analyse is the World Youth Choir’s presentation of it in 2008.
Jasmine flower is constructed from the C major pentatonic scale. A pentatonic scale consists of five notes all a tone or more apart. The pulsing dynamics help maintain the slow tempo in the piece. Jasmine Flower opens with high eerie chords, sung in four-part harmony (soprano, alto, tenor and base) by the choir, they begin loud and strong then gradually fade into the ground as the solo enters with the melody. The free flowing opening sets a peaceful mood by using long pure chords. This reflects the culture by promoting tranquillity and harmony. Clear vibrato can be heard in the solo during the long notes this adds more depth in emotion to then piece.
The songs structure consists of 2 sections of music, a chorus and a bridge.
The chorus:
“What a beautiful jasmine flower “hǎo yī duǒ mĕi lì de mò li huā
What a beautiful jasmine flower hǎo yī duǒ mĕi lì de mò li huā
Sweet-smelling, beautiful, stems full of buds fēn fāng měi lì mǎn zhī yā
Fragrant and white, everyone praises” yòu xiāng yòu bái rén rén kuā”
The bridge:
“Let me pluck you down “ràng wǒ lái jiāng nǐ zhāi xià
Give to someone else sòng gěi bié rén jiā
Jasmine flower, oh jasmine flower” mò li huā ya mò li huā”
The piece is arranged chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus. There are only 2 sections of music because this keeps the song simple. The solo introduces the chorus after the peacefully introduction. The choir then enters assisting the soloist in completing the chorus. The choir then crescendos as they reach the bridge, then there is a pause and the soloist sings the pick up to begin the next phrase.
A cannon can be heard between the choir and soloist as the song develops. This can be heard in the male and female tune during the second and third chorus. During the third chorus the male voices sustain a long humming chord underneath instead of singing the tune this adds extra depth to the piece.
The songs structure consists of 2 sections of music, a chorus and a bridge.
The chorus:
“What a beautiful jasmine flower “hǎo yī duǒ mĕi lì de mò li huā
What a beautiful jasmine flower hǎo yī duǒ mĕi lì de mò li huā
Sweet-smelling, beautiful, stems full of buds fēn fāng měi lì mǎn zhī yā
Fragrant and white, everyone praises” yòu xiāng yòu bái rén rén kuā”
The bridge:
“Let me pluck you down “ràng wǒ lái jiāng nǐ zhāi xià
Give to someone else sòng gěi bié rén jiā
Jasmine flower, oh jasmine flower” mò li huā ya mò li huā”
The piece is arranged chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus. There are only 2 sections of music because this keeps the song simple. The solo introduces the chorus after the peacefully introduction. The choir then enters assisting the soloist in completing the chorus. The choir then crescendos as they reach the bridge, then there is a pause and the soloist sings the pick up to begin the next phrase.
A cannon can be heard between the choir and soloist as the song develops. This can be heard in the male and female tune during the second and third chorus. During the third chorus the male voices sustain a long humming chord underneath instead of singing the tune this adds extra depth to the piece.