Fantasy for Flute and Orchestra

Composer's Note:

Minnesota composer Jan Gilbert's interest in Chinese music led her to collaborate with Chinese flute master and composer Ying Zhang. Fantasy for Chinese Flute and Orchestra from the Chinese Folk Tale "The Magic Whip" was premiered by the St. Paul Civic Symphony with Ying Zhang as soloist. With permission from Ying Zhang, the solos from this performance have been transcribed and added to the score, creating a flute part that may be performed either by solo flute or solo Chinese flute. However, the solos that are unaccompanied by the orchestra may also be adapted "ad lib" by the soloist.

"The Magic Whip" is an ancient Chinese Folk Tale that tells the story of a farmer's daughter who confronts an evil emperor and tricks him into giving back to her a magic whip (made of hair from a mysterious old woman.) The whip has the power to move even a mountain with the slightest tug, and was stolen by the emperor. Shamed and disgraced, and powerless to destroy the land without the magic whip, the emperor returned to his palace. The kingdom and sea were spared from such evil intentions. The mountains haven't moved for centuries.