Cụ Rùa
1 solo Đàn Bầu/ 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons/ 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba/ 3 percussionists on 1 glockenspiel, 1 vibraphone shared by two players, a set of tubular bells, a pair of crash cymbals, 1 suspended cymbal, 1 deep tam and 2 triangles of different sizes/ 1 player on piano and celesta (the celesta may need to be slightly amplified and is positioned at a right angle of the piano, so that the pianist can play simultaneously on both instruments)/ harp/ strings
Programme notes
This symphonic poem, Cụ Rùa, draws its inspiration from Vietnamese culture, history, and musical traditions.
Sources of inspiration
The composer's inspiration is rooted in three key elements from Vietnam:
Cultural appreciation: A deep connection to the kindness of the people and the beauty of the nature observed during the composer's first visit.
Instrumental charm: A fascination with the melancholic, unique timbre and microtonal possibilities of the Đàn Bầu (a traditional Vietnamese monochord instrument).
Mythological trigger: The immediate inspiration was the demise of Cụ Rùa (Great Grandfather/Grandmother Turtle), the revered turtle living in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, central Hanoi, earlier that year.
Legend and structure
Legends as Basis: The composition is founded on the legends of King An Dương Vương and King Lê Lợi, two central figures in Vietnamese mythology.
The Turtle's Role: The passing of Cụ Rùa served as the poignant triggering factor for choosing these legends, as the turtle is central to the King Lê Lợi myth (the Golden Turtle God retrieved the magical sword from the king in Hoàn Kiếm Lake).
A Non-Literal Approach: The eight subparts of the composition connect to twists and turns of the legends, but the composer intentionally avoided a literal sonic rendition out of respect for these sagas, which are central to the collective memory of the Vietnamese people.
Universal Moral: The composer interpreted the universal moral of the legends as the value of ruling by wisdom with a limited amount of force, regardless of personal outcomes.
Musical Language
The symphonic poem is built on a framework of continuous transformation:
It is based on one chord, one mode, and one rhythm that undergo a constant process of change.
The poetic ending evokes a duality: a "peaceful aquatic environment" far below, and a "paradisiac shimmer of iridescent light" far above.
Cụ Rùa was premiered by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer with meritorious artist Lệ Chi Bùi playing the Đàn Bầu during the opening gala concert of the 34th Asian Composers League Conference and Festival on 12-X-2016 in the Opera House of Hanoi, Vietnam.
Handwritten sketches and drafts
to be found in chapter IX of white cover, A3 size, 600 pages book
Completion of the composition
16-V-2016
Analysis
see Cu Rua (2016) under Articles
Video
link of the premiere
Photography of Lake Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam
Duration:
13' 30"
Composed In:
2016
Dedicated to:
Parts:
For score and parts, please email <rc@robertcasteels.com>
First performance:
12.10.16 Opera House of Hanoi, Vietnam
First performed by:
Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra conducted by R Casteels, with meritorious artist Lệ Chi Bùi playing the Đàn Bầu
Commissioned by:
979-0-9016533-1-3 (full score) and 979-0-9016533-0-6 (parts)
Download Link: