Sound of QIN (PDF)

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Description +
- Sound of Qin (秦音) is a percussion sextet commissioned by Xiaojing Han, Professor of Percussion at Xi'an Conservatory of Music, and the 2620 Percussion Group. The original work was composed in 2021, and this revised edition was prepared in July 2026.
  
  Qin (秦) represents the millennia-old cultural heritage of Shaanxi Province, the historic Sanqin region, and embodies the area's natural beauty and rich cultural traditions. Inspired by the folk music of Shaanxi, Sound of Qin explores the cultural identity of the Qin region through the distinctive tonal language of northern Shaanxi music. It brings to life the authentic melodies rooted in the loess plateaus and mountain landscapes, capturing the spirit and artistic essence of the Sanqin
Instrumentation +
- Player 1
  Tubular Bells
  Glockenspiel
  Xylophone
  DRUM*
  
  Player 2
  Vibraphone
  Bongos
  DRUM*
  
  Player 3
  Marimba (4.3-octave)
  DRUM*
  
  Player 4
  Marimba (5.0-octave)
  DRUM*
  
  Player 5
  Suspended Cymbal
  Cloud Gong (Yun Luo)
  Chinese Opera Gong (High)
  Chinese Opera Gong (Low)
  High-Pitched Woodblock
  Wind Chimes
  Snare Drum
  DRUM*
  
  Player 6
  Chinese Bass Drum
  Chinese Tom-toms (3)
  Shaker
  
  *DRUM: From rehearsal letters G–I, there is a drumming tutti section. Each player may choose an appropriate low-pitched drum. Traditional Chinese drums, such as Pai Gu, Huapen Gu, and Bian Gu, are recommended, but other instruments—including tom-toms, congas, dununs, or similar drums—may also be used according to the performers' preference.
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.
Credits +
- Front Cover graphics and layout: Heng Liu
  Photo: NCPA Orchestra
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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