The Story of the Dragon Gate

Year Composed:	2022
Instrumentation:	2+picc.2.2+bcl.2+cb/4.3.3.1/timp+3 perc/hp/pno/strings
Duration	3 minutes

Program Notes

In Chinese mythology, there is a waterfall so immense it seems to pour forth from a hole in the heavens. Perched above the waterfall is an ancient entrance to the sky, held up by stone columns and arches the colour of mist. Fish swim upward against the water's fierce current toward this Dragon Gate; the few that succeed and pass through the gate are transformed into flying dragons.

I discovered this fable only recently while reading the work of American author Grace Lin, whose children's novel Where the Moon Meets the Mountain cleverly weaves traditional fairy tales into its main narrative. The striking imagery of this particular tale, along with its brevity, made it an ideal source of inspiration for this three-minute celebratory overture, whose surging, splashy textures and overflowing lyricism are an attempt to reflect the story's themes and visual splendour.

Performances

• September 21-24, 2022 - Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Gimeno. Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto.

Commissions and Awards

• Commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the orchestra's 100th season.