“Following the Creator to Renew All Things,” composed by Jing Xian, takes listeners on a journey through the creation of Chinese civilization as envisioned in ancient beliefs. Through its intricate melodies, the Shen Yun orchestra paints a vivid picture of celestial beings descending to the Middle Kingdom and bestowing their divine gifts upon the Earth.
The Opening and the Voyage Through Memory’s Realms
The composition unfolds with a statement that captures the essence of the entire piece. After that, at ((0:20)), a glissando on the harp creates a dreamy, mythical ambiance, plunging us into a reverie of ancient days in the heavens. This sound, resembling the veil of time and space being lifted, sets the stage for a celestial journey.
Accompanying this is the gentle progression of woodwinds, led by the flute. Their gradual ascend in pitch resembles the metaphorical stairs that lift us toward the heavens. Parallel to that, the harp’s continuation with its glissando acts like the manifestation of a miracle that blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy, while its pentatonic scale imbues the piece with an Oriental essence, deepening the connection to ancient Chinese culture. It’s as though the harp is not just a musical instrument but a time machine, transporting us back to the resplendent eras of an age-old civilization.
In the second repetition of the harmonic sequence, the woodwinds, growing in intensity and volume, create a vivid image of the gates of heaven opening before us. This part of the composition is where the listener is no longer a mere observer but a participant in this odyssey.
Divine World’s Splendor and Glory
At ((0:50)), the orchestra delves into the statement, portraying the intricate and resplendent details of a celestial world. Listeners are drawn into a vivid experience, clearly feeling what it is like to be enveloped in a magnificent and ethereal setting.
At ((1:17)), the musical landscape becomes more vibrant with the entrance of goddesses, delicately portrayed by the soft, graceful melody of the erhus, blending with the sounds of the clarinet, flutes, pipas, and the pizzicato playing technique on the strings.
Following this, the strength and perseverance of masculine elements in the parade are also revealed through the resonant sounds of brass and strings. This interplay between these elements creates a multi-colored, multi-tonal image of paradise, where each deity enhances the divine realm’s splendor with their distinguished presence.
At ((1:45)), all components converge in a solemn musical passage as the Creator makes a striking entrance, celebrated by the entire orchestra. The re-emergence of this central theme reaffirms the supreme stature of the Creator, who has crafted countless levels of the universe and now envelops this vast, magnificent space with his presence.
At ((2:13)), the piece transitions into a new phase, reflecting the Creator’s compassion and benevolence. In this segment, a sacred call resounds, the Creator calls upon the heavenly beings to descend with him to Earth, specifically to the Middle Kingdom or China, the chosen place for planting the seeds of civilization. This call is conveyed through a melody that is pure and gentle, yet imbued with great energy and power, embodies the weight of the great responsibilities and missions that await the gods upon their descent.
The term “Middle Kingdom” reflects an ancient worldview where China was seen as the cultural, political, and spiritual center of the world. This central position, both geographical and metaphysical, underscored China’s role as a beacon of harmony and enlightenment. The emperor, revered as the “Son of Heaven,” was believed to have a divine mandate to uphold these ideals. His authority to rule was seen as granted by Heaven itself, based on his virtue and his ability to maintain harmony and order within the realm.
For an emperor to receive divine favor, he must govern both justly and wisely, safeguarding the welfare of his people. This concept reinforces the notion that the “Central Kingdom” pertains not only to its geographic centrality but also to its ethical values and role as an intermediary between the divine and the mundane. The emperor’s role is central to maintaining the balance and harmony between the Heaven and the Earth.
In the context of “Following the Creator to Renew All Things,” the Middle Kingdom becomes the chosen ground for divine incarnation, aimed at guiding humanity. This aligns with the traditional Chinese belief in the divine origins of their millennia-old civilization, highlighting the role of higher beings in shaping the region’s cultural fabric.
The Descent to Earth
As the piece progresses to ((2:27)), fans of Shen Yun who follow their works on this theme will recognize the familiar melody, which ushers listeners into the gods’ descent to the mortal realm. The mostly downward trajectory of the melody signifies the divine beings’ journey from the higher planes down to the earthly world.
This passage conveys the powerful force traversing through galaxies and planets. When amplified by the brass section, it brings the image of Earth into clear focus.
The Noble Mission in the Human World
At ((2:37)), the symphony opens a new chapter, marking a pivotal moment as the divine beings begin their incarnation in the Middle Kingdom. Each note of the trumpet is clear and strong, serving as both a solemn greeting and a signal for the onset of this grand event.
((2:55)) The story continues as the gods reincarnate in the human world with different identities and forms. They assume critical positions such as generals, officials, or wise sages, playing integral roles in shaping and nurturing the foundation of the dynasty. And with this phase of the composition makes people think about a solemn and impressive royal procession.
The leading role of the trumpet, an instrument often associated with military spirit, loyalty, and heroism, comes to the forefront.
By ((3:18)), this atmosphere is further amplified with the addition of trombones, adding an extra layer of regality and grandeur to the procession.
Moving to ((3:31)), the strings burst into a lively melody, reflecting the martial spirit and steadfast loyalty of ancient men. This segment embodies the enthusiasm of each individual for their country, the qualities of a warrior, and the upholding of moral principles between the king and his subjects. The strings, with their dynamic and robust play, convey a sense of duty, honor, and the unyielding resolve that characterized the moral fabric of the time.
Awe-Inspiring Tectonic Process
At ((4:09)), the piece’s motion increases, as if fast-forwarding through a film reel that documents the foundational laying and building phases. This part of the symphony reflects the gradual rise of dynasties, captivating the listener with the profound grandeur and scale of a civilization that boasts a millennia-old history.
((4:20)) The piece reaches a climax where the shape of the country and its culture starts to become clearly discernible. This moment speaks not only to the physical construction but also to the cultivation and preservation of cultural identity and heritage for generations to come.
A Return to the Royal Palace
As the orchestra revisits the melody that signals the descent of the gods at ((4:30)), we are brought back to the royal palace’s center.
At ((4:33)), the symphony welcomes us with court music, marking a shift to the refined spaces within the royal palace walls. The imperial ladies’ appearance is elegantly portrayed through the delicate, soft, and flexible music of the strings.
This part of the symphony also sees the re-emergence of the erhus and pipas, instruments that, earlier in the piece, were synonymous with the ethereal presence of goddesses. Here, they subtly acknowledge these high beings’ reincarnated lives on Earth.
The inclusion of brass alongside the strings and traditional instruments adds a layer of regality and authority, symbolizing the presence of court officials. This development of contrasting elements does not clash; instead, it achieves a harmonious balance between softness and strength within the splendid panorama of the royal palace.
The Arrival of the Emperor
As the symphony reaches its climax at ((5:28)), a significant moment occurs—the emperor appears, signaled by the orchestra’s unison.
The manner in which the orchestra honors the emperor’s arrival is reminiscent of the earlier moment when the Creator first made his presence known, bringing a profound connection in meaning. The emperor, through the lens of Shen Yun, is not just a wise mortal ruler but also a reincarnation of the Creator, bearing a sacred mission to shape the dynasty and its cultural fabric for his subjects.
The theme melody returns at this moment, reaffirming the core idea of this composition that human culture is a gift from the divine realm.
The performance soars until the final seconds, transcending the bounds of time, echoing from the ancient past to the present, and celebrating the glory of a civilization bestowed by higher beings. In the face of today’s myriad challenges and shifts, Shen Yun’s message offers a beacon of hope and inspiration. This artistic expression nurtures an appreciation and inspires us to embrace and promote the profound values inherent in our divinely inspired tradition, aiming for a better future where the beauty of culture and the human spirit are honored and preserved.
For those eager to immerse themselves in the world of Shen Yun, their compositions, including this gem, can be streamed online via Shen Yun Creations (Shen Yun Zuo Pin).
