Bluesy Bristol (by Balraj Gopal) --World Premier

Tango Tang 鄧遠為 (harmonica) and Xposè Guitar Quintet
Performed on 1st July 2017 at Esplanade Recital Studio
Organised by the Harmonica Aficionados Society of Singapore
“Bluesy Bristol” is composed by our local composer Balraj Gopal, and it is world premiered in this concert. This piece reflects the author’s experiences and impressions while on a trip to Bristol, England. The folk traditions and contemporary blues music-making he encountered during the trip is characterised in the different sections of the work.
the 1st section has a rhythmic pulse reminiscent of the English traditional gigue in a 6/8 meter. Accompanied by the Niibori guitar quintet, the solo harmonica weaves a melody which paces the score at a fluid moderate tempo. The guitars interpret the main themes in various combinations and tonalities, while always maintaining the driving pulse of the 6/8 meter and its syncopated metrical variants.
the 2nd section is a minor blues. This atmosphere of harmonica-blues music is well and alive in Bristol, and the communities meet regularly to ‘jam’ on familiar blues/jazz repertoire.
The solo harmonica takes centrestage here, expounding on various chromatic harmonica techniques which are relevant to this popular idiom. the guitar quintet mainly accompanies the soloist, and has a surprise ‘guitar-percussion’ moment typical of the Niibori Rhythmic Method. This brings the work to a close with an exciting coda rooted in contemporary grooves and bluesy inflections.
《布里斯托藍調》是本地作曲家 Balraj Gopal 為半音階口琴與吉他五重奏所特別創作的音樂，今晚在此為大家獻上世界首演。這首樂曲是 Gopal 在英國布里斯托旅行時，聽到當地傳統民謠與現代藍調音樂相互衝擊下，所產生的感受與印象，將分別呈現在這個作品中。
第一部是6/8拍節奏律動的懷舊風英國傳統吉格舞曲。一開始吉他以不斷往前驅動的6/8節奏和切分音變奏，搭配不同的組合與音樂色彩變化演繹主題；隨後在新堀吉他五重奏的伴奏下，口琴娓娓吹奏出優美的旋律。
第二部是短音階藍調。藍調口琴音樂在布里斯托非常盛行且活躍，大家經常聚在一起演奏一些流行的藍調及爵士樂曲。這次由獨奏口琴擔當重任，運用各種半音階口琴獨特的演奏技巧盡情展現藍調音樂的特色。吉他五重奏主要為獨奏者伴奏，最後在一段令人驚豔、新堀吉他樂團獨特的「吉他敲擊樂」演奏後，在當代節奏律動與藍調音調變化的幫襯下激昂興奮地結束全曲。