Rain the Blind Monk

Item details

Description +
- Duration: 6 min.
  
  Preface
  
  Rain the Blind Monk is a Multi-Percussion solo piece. For the title, Blind Monk is a Chinese way to call Lee Sin who is a character in a PC game called League of Legend. In this piece, there are 5 parts named by the skill of Lee Sin, who cultivate himself in the rain.
Instrumentation +
- Bass Drum
  5 Wood Blocks
  2 Bongos
  2 Tom-toms
  2 Chinese Cymbals
  Kick w/pedal
  Glockenspiel
About the composer +
- Heng LIU is the principal percussion of the China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra, executive director of China Percussion Association, artist of MEINL Percussion, MEINL Cymbals, Innovative Percussion, Marimba One, and Remo.
  
  Liu studied percussion from childhood with his father Yaguang LIU, professor of percussion at Xi 'an Conservatory of Music. In 2005, Liu was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music. He studied with professor Gang LIU and professor Biao LI successively and obtained bachelor's and master's degrees. By the time he was 18, Liu had won the first prize in the National Youth Percussion Competition. Liu was a percussion jury of the Italian International Percussion Competition, where he also held master classes and special concerts. He also judges the annual International Network Percussion Competition and National Youth Percussion Competition.
  
  Between 2017 to 2019, Liu embarked on his improvisation and interactive percussion concert "Give me one hour" tour. The tour hit many major Chinese cities including Tianqiao Art Center in Beijing, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Xi 'An concert hall, Shijiazhuang Center for the Performing Arts, etc. Liu performed entirely improvised sets based on interaction with the audience, bringing concertgoers a brand new musical experience. 
  
  So far, Liu has published two albums: Percussion Visionary --Heng LIU Percussion Concert and DRUMS, an original album released by "Hei Chao" Duo with renowned drummer Yanchao LI. He also writes a personal column Heng LIU Said in music weekly.
  
   As a percussionist, Liu has traveled to various music festivals around the world. These include: Italian International Percussion Competition and Festival, Greek International Percussion Competition and Festival, NCPA International Percussion Festival, Beijing International Electronic Music Festival, Beijing Modern Music Festival, Jazz Shanghai Music Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, MIDI Festival and so on.
  
  In the meanwhile, Liu has created more than 30 works, including percussion ensemble piece "The General", "Memory", "Face2Face", percussion and electronic music "Delay", "Percumotion", percussion solo "Rain the Blind Monk", "Wild LEO ", "Poem" and many more. In 2016, his Chinese Traditional Percussion solo piece "Gazing on Mountain TAI" won the 1st prize of China Traditional Music Festival - CCOM ethnic Percussion works collection competition.
  
  In 2019, Heng LIU won "Best Work Awards" and "Best All-round Percussionist" of 2019 Drummmer's Ceremony.
Reviews +
- Review (Percussive Notes, October 2021)
  
  The title of this multi-percussion solo, “Blind Monk” refers to Lee Sin, a character in a PC game called League of Legend. In this piece, there are five parts named by the skill of Lee Sin, who cultivates himself in the rain.
  
  “Rain the Blind Monk” is engaging. From the start the listener is drawn in by the moto perpetuo reminiscent of Xenakis or Schwantner. Heng Liu balances this perfectly with subtle dynamics and contrasting structure. The middle section is all about timbre and space. The composer explores the sound possibilities with intricate rhythms and well-crafted playing techniques. The piece ends with a flurry of activity.
  
  The technique required to play this piece is involved and virtuosic without being exclusive. This would be appropriate for most graduate students and even some undergraduates. Being able to manage a medium-sized multiplepercussion setup is key.
  
  If you are looking for a recital piece that is not too long and has a manageable setup, “Rain the Blind Monk” will be perfect. It will dazzle any audience.
  
  —Joe Millea
Credits +
- Front Cover graphics and layout: Ronni Kot Wenzell
  Photo: NCPA Orchestra
  Engraving: Heng LIU
  Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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