Final Recital's Program
Poems from Zhou dynasty (1046 BC – 256 BC) and Tang dynasty (618 - 907)
01. Yue Ren Ge (越人歌)
Yue Ren Ge (越人歌) The Yue Folk's Song (translated by Zhao, Yan-chun)
今夕何夕兮，
What night is tonight？
搴舟中流。
All through the waves, I row.
今日何日兮，
What day is today？
得与王子同舟。
I share with Your Highness the same canoe.
蒙羞被好兮，
Ashamed, ashamed am I,
不訾诟耻。
In status so low.
心几烦而不绝兮，
Disturbed, disturbed am I,
得知王子。
Your Highness, I come to know.
山有木兮木有枝，
O uphill grow trees, on the trees boughs grow
心悦君兮君不知。
O my heart goes to you, But you don't know.
02. Ju Song (橘颂)
Ju Song (橘颂)
Ode to the Orange (translated by Yang, Xian-yi and Dai, Nai-yi)
后皇嘉树，橘徕服兮。
Here the orange tree is, shedding beauty all around.
受命不迁，生南国兮。
Living in this southern grove, from its fate it will not move;
深固难徙，更壹志兮。
For as its roots lie fast and deep, so its purpose it will keep.
绿叶素荣，纷其可喜兮。
With green leaves and blossoms white, it brings beauty and delight.
曾枝剡棘，圆果抟兮。
Yet foliage and sharp thorns abound, to guard the fruit so ripe and round.
青黄杂糅，文章烂兮。
Golden clusters, clusters green glimmer with a lovely sheen, while all
精色内白，类可往兮。
within is pure and clear like heart of a philosopher.
纷缊宜脩，姱而不丑兮。
Grace and splendor here are one, beauty all and blemish none.
嗟尔幼志，有以异兮。
Your youthful and impetuous heart, sets you from common men apart,
独立不迁，岂不可喜兮。
and well-contented I to see, your resolute integrity.
深固难徙，廓其无求兮。
Deep-rooted thus you stand unshaken, impartial, by no fancies taken.
苏世独立，横而不流兮。
Steadfast you choose your course alone, following no fashion but your own.
闭心自慎，终不失过兮。
Over your heart you hold firm sway, nor suffer it to go astray;
秉德无私，参天地兮。
No selfish wishes strain your worth, standing erect twixt heaven and earth.
愿岁并谢，与长友兮。
Then let not age divide us Twain;
淑离不淫，梗其有理兮。
Your friend I ever would remain.
年岁虽少，可师长兮。
Be noble still without perfection.
行比伯夷，置以为像兮。
Then Bo Yi as your standard take, his virtues as your model make.
03. Feng Qiao Ye Bo (枫桥夜泊)
Feng Qiao Ye Bo (枫桥夜泊)
Mooring at Night by the Maple Bridge (translated by Zhao, Yan-chun )
月落乌啼霜满天，
The moon setting, crows cawing, frost overfilling the skies,
江枫渔火对愁眠。
The maples riverside, lamps aboard, sad the fishermen’s eyes.
姑苏城外寒山寺，
The toll from the Cold Mountain Temple outside of Suchow,
夜半钟声到客船。
Reaches my boat at midnight and floods my sleepless sorrow.
04. Hua Fei Hua (花非花)
Hua Fei Hua (花非花)
A Flower in the Haze (translated by Xu, Yuan-chong)
花非花，雾非雾。
In bloom, she's not a flower; hazy, she's not a haze.
夜半来，天明去。
She comes at midnight hour; she goes with starry rays.
来如春梦不多时，
She comes like vernal dreams that cannot stay;
去似朝云无觅处。
She goes like morning clouds that melt away.
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Poems from Song dynasty (960 - 1279)
05. Jiang Cheng Zi (江城子)
Jiang Cheng Zi (江城子)
Jiangcheng Theme (translated by Burton Watson)
十年生死两茫茫，
Ten years, dead and living dim and draw apart.
不思量，自难忘。
I don’t try to remember. But forgetting is hard.
千里孤坟，
Lonely grave a thousand miles off,
无处话凄凉。
Cold thoughts, where can I talk them out?
纵使相逢应不识，
Even if we met, you wouldn’t know me,
尘满面，鬓如霜。
Dust on my face, Hair Like frost.
夜来幽梦忽还乡，
In a dream last night, suddenly I was home.
小轩窗，正梳妆。
By the window of the little room, You were combing your hair and making up.
相顾无言，
You turned and looked, not speaking.
惟有泪千行。
Only lines of tears coursing down.
料得年年肠断处，
Year after year, will it break my heart?
明月夜，短松冈。
The moonlit grave, the stubby pines.
06. Da Jiang Dong Qu (大江东去)
Da Jiang Dong Qu (大江东去)
Memories of the Past at Red Cliff (translated by Xu, Yuanchong)
大江东去，浪淘尽，千古风流人物。
The endless river eastward flows, with its huge waves, are gone all those gallant heroes of bygone years.
故垒西边，人道是，三国周郎赤壁。
West of the ancient fortress appears Red Cliff where General Zhou Yu won his early fame When the three Kingdoms were in flames.
乱石崩云，惊涛裂岸，卷起千堆雪。
Jugged rocks tower in the air and swashing waves beat on the shore, rolling up a thousand heaps of snow.
江山如画，一时多少豪杰。
To match the hills and the river so fair, how many heroes brave of yore made a great show!
遥想公瑾当年，小乔初嫁了，雄姿英发。
I fancy General Zhou Yu at the height of his success, with a plume fan in hand,
羽扇纶巾，谈笑间，樯橹灰飞烟灭。
In a silk hood, so brave and bright, laughing and jesting with his bride so fair, while enemy ships were destroyed as planned like castles in the air.
故国神游，多情应笑我，早生华发。
Should their souls revisit this land, sentimental, his bride would laugh to say: Younger than they, I have my hair turned grey.
人生如梦，一尊还酹江月。
Life is like a passing dream. O Moon, I drink to you who saw them on the stream.
07. Dian Jiang Chun - Fu Deng Lou (点绛唇·赋登楼)
Dian Jiang Chun · Fu Deng Lou(点绛唇·赋登楼)
Rouged lips (translated by Xu, Yuan-chong)
休惜余春，试来把酒留春住。
Don't sigh for the parting spring day! Try with a cup of wine to ask her to stay.
问春无语。帘卷西山雨。
But she's silent and still. The uprolled screen shows rain on western hill.
一掬愁心，强欲登高赋。
My sorrow-laden heart forces me to write a poem on the height.
山无数。烟波无数。不放春归去。
E'en countless mist-veiled hills and countless mist-veiled rills won't let spring go away.
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08. Man Jiang Hong (满江红)
Man Jiang Hong (满江红)
The River All Red (translated by Xu, Yuan-chong)
怒发冲冠，凭栏处，㴋㴋雨歇。
Wrath sets on end my hair; I lean on railings where I see the drizzling rain has ceased.
抬望眼，仰天长啸，壮怀激烈。
Raising my eyes towards the skies, I heave long sighs, my wrath not yet appeased.
三十功名尘与土，八千里路云和月。
To dust is gone the fame achieved in thirty years; like cloud-veiled moon the thousand-mile plain disappears.
莫等闲，白了少年头，空悲切。
Should youthful heads in vain turn grey, we would regret for aye.
靖康耻，犹未雪；臣子恨，何时灭？
Lost our capitals, what a burning shame! How can we generals quench our vengeful flame?
驾长车，踏破贺兰山缺。
Driving our chariots of war, we’d go to break through our relentless foe.
壮志饥餐胡虏肉，笑谈渴饮匈奴血。
Valiantly we’d cut off each head; laughing, we’d drink the blood they shed.
待从头，收拾旧山河，朝天阙!
When we’ve reconquered our lost land, in triumph would return our army grand.
09. Chai Tou Feng (钗头凤)
Chai Tou Feng (钗头凤)
Phoenix hairpin (translated by Xu, Yuan-chong)
红酥手，黄縢酒，
Pink hands so fine, gold-branded wine,
满城春色宫墙柳。
Spring paints the willows green palace walls can’t confine.
东风恶，欢情薄。
East wind unfair, happy times rare.
一怀愁绪，几年离索。
In my heart sad thoughts throng; we severed for years long.
错、错、错。
Wrong, wrong, wrong!
春如旧，人空瘦，
Spring is as green, in vain she’s lean,
泪痕红浥鲛绡透。
her kerchief soaked with tears and red with stains unclean.
桃花落，闲池阁。
Peach blossoms fall, near deserted hall.
山盟虽在，锦书难托。
Our oath is still there. Lo! No word to her can go.
莫、莫、莫！
No, no, no!
10. Qing Yu An · Yuan Xi (青玉案 · 元夕)
Qing Yu An (青玉案·元夕)
The Lantern Festival Night - to the tune of Green Jade Table (translated by Xu, Yuan-chong)
东风夜放花千树。
One night's east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers
更吹落，星如雨。
and blows down stars in showers.
宝马雕车香满路。
Fine steeds and carved cabs spread fragrance en route;
凤箫声动，玉壶光转，
Music vibrates from the flute; the moon sheds its full light
一夜鱼龙舞。
while fish and dragon lanterns dance all night.
蛾儿雪柳黄金缕。
In gold-thread dress, with moth or willow ornaments,
笑语盈盈暗香去。
giggling, she melts into the throng with trails of scent
众里寻他千百度。
but in the crowd once and again
蓦然回首，那人却在，
I look for her in vain. When all at once I turn my head,
灯火阑珊处。
I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.
- Intermission -
Poems from Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644), Qing dynasty (1636 - 1912), and Republic of China (1912–1949)
11. Lin Jiang Xian (临江仙)
Lin Jiang Xian (临江仙)
Lin Jiang Xian (translated by Xu, Yuan-chong)
滚滚长江东逝水，
Wave on wave the long river eastward rolls away;
浪花淘尽英雄。
gone are all heroes with its spray on spray.
是非成败转头空。
Success or failure, right or wrong, all turn out vain;
青山依旧在，
only green mountains still remain
几度夕阳红。
to see the setting sun’s departing ray.
白发渔樵江渚上，
The white-haired fishermen sail on the stream with ease,
惯看秋月春风。
accustomed to the autumn moon and vernal breeze.
一壶浊酒喜相逢。
A pot of wine in hand, they talk as they please.
古今多少事，
How many things before and after
都付笑谈中。
all melt into gossip and laughter!
12. Hong Dou Ci (红豆词)
Hong Dou Ci (红豆词)
The Song of Love Peas (translated by David Hawkes)
滴不尽相思血泪抛红豆，
Still weeping tears of blood about separation, little red love-beans of my desolation.
开不完春柳春花满画楼，
Still blooming blowers I see outside my window growing.
睡不稳纱窗风雨黄昏后，
Still awake in the dark I hear the wind blowing.
忘不了新愁与旧愁，
Still I can’t forget those old hopes and fears.
咽不下玉粒金波噎满喉，
Still I can’t swallow food and drink, ’cos I’m choked with tears.
瞧不见镜里花容瘦，
Mirror, mirror on the wall, tell me it’s not true. Do I look so thin and pale, do I look so blue?
展不开眉头 捱不明更漏，
Mirror, mirror, this long night how shall I get through?
啊! 恰似遮不住的青山隐隐，
Blue as the mist upon the distant mountains.
流不断的绿水悠悠。
Blue as the water in the ever-flowing fountains.
13. Jiao Wo Ru He Bu Xiang Ta (教我如何不想他)
Jiao Wo Ru He Bu Xiang Ta (教我如何不想他)
天上飘着些微云，
Tiny clouds are in the sky, floating;
地上吹着些微风。
o'er the ground, gentle breezes, blowing.
微风吹动了我的头发，
Gentle breezes rustling my hair,
教我如何不想她？
how could I not think of her?
月光恋爱着海洋，
The moonlight is in love with the sea;
海洋恋爱着月光。
and the sea is in love with the beams.
这般蜜也似的银夜。
This silvery night gets only honier,
教我如何不想她？
how could I not think of her?
水面落花慢慢流，
Fallen flowers flow gently on the water,
水底鱼儿慢慢游。
small fish swim slowly under it.
燕子你说些什么话？
What're you saying, swallows—my dear?
教我如何不想她？
How could I not think of her?
枯树在冷风里摇，
Withered trees, in cold wind, swaying;
野火在暮色中烧。
prairie fire, at dusk, are burning.
西天还有些儿残霞，
In the western sky, some afterglows linger,
教我如何不想她。
how could I not think of her?
14. Si Xiang (思乡)
Si Xiang (思乡)
Homesickness (translated by Zhang, Hai Chuan)
柳丝系绿,
Green, slender willow branches grow fast.
清明才过了,
All Souls’ Day has just become the past.
独自个凭栏无语,
Leaning against the rail, a lonely soul is like a lost boat, nowhere to sail.
更那堪墙外鹃啼,
A miserable cuckoo keeps crying over the dome,
一声声道:“不如归去！”
calling for return to its home.
惹起了万种闲情，
This arouses ripples of an emotional wave,
满怀别绪，
and the will of being a homesick slave.
问落花：
Asking a fallen flower floating with the river,
“随渺渺微波是否向南流？”
Whether to south will you go? “
我愿与他同去！
If yes, I would like to go with you.
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15. Songs and Dances of Death - Lullaby
Стонет ребёнок... Свеча, нагорая,
A child is groaning... A candle, burning out,
Тускло мерцает кругом.
Dimly flickers onto surroundings.
Целую ночь колыбельку качая,
The whole night, rocking the cradle,
Мать не забылася сном.
A mother has not dozed away with sleep.
Раным-ранёхонько в дверь осторожно
Early-early in the morning, carefully, on the door
Смерть сердобольная стук!
Compassionate Death -- Knock!
Вздрогнула мать, оглянулась тревожно...
The mother shuddered, looked back with worry...
“Полно пугаться, мой друг!
"Don't get frightened, my dear!
Бледное утро уж смотрит в окошко...
Pale morning already looks in the window...
Плача, тоскуя, любля,
With crying, anguishing and loving
Ты утомилась, вздремни-ка немножко,
You have tired yourself, have a little nap,
Я посижу за тебя.
I'll sit instead of you.
Угомонить ты дитя не сумела.
You've failed to pacify the child.
Слаще тебя я спою.”
I'll sing sweeter than you"
“Тише! ребёнок мой мечется, бьётся,
"Quiet! My child rushes and struggles,
Душу терзая мою!”
Tormenting my soul!"
“Ну, да со мною он скоро уймётся.
"Well, with me he'll soon be appeased.
Баюшки, баю, баю.”
Hush-a-bye, baby, my own."
“Щёчки бледнеют, слабеет дыханье...
"The cheeks are fading, the breath in weakening…
Да замолчи-же, молю!”
Be quiet, I beg you!"
“Доброе знаменье, стихнет страданье,
"That's a good sign, the suffering will quieten,
Баюшки, баю, баю.”
Hush-a-bye, baby, my own."
“Прочь ты, проклятая!
"Be gone, you damned thing!
Лаской своею сгубишь ты радость мою!”
With your tenderness you'll kill my joy!"
“Нет, мирный сон я младенцу навею.
"No, a peaceful sleep I'll conjure up for the baby.
Баюшки, баю, баю.”
Hush-a-bye, baby, my own."
“Сжалься, пожди допевать хоть мгновенье,
"Have pity, wait at least for a moment
Страшную песню твою!”
with finishing your awful song!"
“Видишь, уснул он под тихое пенье.
"Look, he fell asleep with my quiet singing.
Баюшки, баю, баю.”
Hush-a-bye, baby, my own."
16. Songs and Dances of Death - Serenade
Нега волшебная, ночь голубая,
Magical languor, blue night,
Трепетный сумрак весны.
Trembling darkness of spring.
Внемлет, поникнув головкой, больная
The sick girl takes in, with her head dropped,
Шопот ночной тишины.
The whisper of the night's silence.
Сон не смыкает блестящие очи,
Sleep does not close her shining eyes,
Жизнь к наслажденью зовёт,
Life beckons towards pleasures,
А под окошком в молчаньи полночи
Meanwhile under the window in the midnight silence
Смерть серенаду поёт:
Death sings a serenade:
“В мраке неволи суровой и тесной
"In the gloom of captivity, severe and stifling,
Молодость вянет твоя;
Your youth is fading away;
Рыцарь неведомый, силой чудесной
A mysterious knight, with magic powers
Освобожу я тебя.
I'll free you up.
Встань, посмотри на себя: красотою
Stand up, look at yourself: with beauty
Лик твой прозрачный блестит,
Your translucent face is shining,
Щёки румяны, волнистой косою
Your cheeks are rosy, with a wavy plait
Стан твой, как тучей обвит.
Your figure is entwined, like with a cloud.
Пристальных глаз голубое сиянье,
The blue radiance of your piercing eyes
Ярче небес и огня;
Is brighter than skies and fire.
Зноем полуденным веет дыханье...
Your breath flutters with the midday heat ...
Ты обольстила меня.
You have seduced me.
Слух твой пленился моей серенадой,
Your hearing is captured with my serenade,
Рыцаря шопот твой звал,
Your voice called for a knight,
Рыцарь пришёл за последней наградой:
The knight has come for the ultimate reward;
Час упоенья настал.
The hour of ecstasy has arrived.
Нежен твой стан, упоителен трепет...
Your body is tender, your trembling is ravishing...
О, задушу я тебя
Oh, I'll suffocate you
В крепких объятьях: любовный мой лепет
in my strong embraces: listen to my seductive
Слушай!... молчи!... Ты моя!”
chatter! ... be silent!... You are mine!"
17. Songs and Dances of Death - Trepak
Лес да поляны, безлюдье кругом.
Forest and glades, no one is around.
Вьюга и плачет и стонет,
A snow-storm is crying and groaning,
Чуется, будто во мраке ночном,
It feels as in the gloom of the night
Злая, кого-то хоронит;
The Evil One is burying someone;
Глядь, так и есть! В темноте мужика
Hush, it is so! In the darkness
Смерть обнимает, ласкает,
Death is hugging and caressing an old man,
С пьяненьким пляшет вдвоём трепака,
With the drunkard She is dancing a trepak,
На ухо песнь напевает:
While singing a song into his ear:
Ой, мужичок, старичок убогой,
"Oh, my little wretched man,
Пьян напился, поплёлся дорогой,
Got drunk, stumbled along the road,
А мятель-то, ведьма, поднялась, взыграла.
But the witch-blizzard has risen furiously,
С поля в лес дремучий невзначай загнала.
And driven you from the glade into the dense forest.
Горем, тоской да нуждой томимый,
Tortured with anguish and need,
Ляг, прикорни, да усни, родимый!
Lie down, curl up and fall asleep, my dear!
Я тебя, голубчик мой, снежком согрею,
I'll warm you up with snow, my darling,
Вкруг тебя великую игру затею.
And stir up a great game around you.
Взбей-ка постель, ты мятель-лебёдка!
Shake up the bed, you blizzard-swan!
Гей, начинай, запевай погодка!
Hey, get going, start chanting, you weather
Сказку, да такую, чтоб всю ночь тянулась,
A fairytale, that could last all night,
Чтоб пьянчуге крепко под неё заснулось!
So that the drunkard could fall asleep soundly!
Ой, вы леса, небеса, да тучи,
Hey you, forests, skies and clouds,
Темь, ветерок, да снежок летучий!
Gloom, wind and fleeting snow,
Свейтесь пеленою, снежной, пуховою;
Wreathe into a shroud, snowy and fluffy;
Ею, как младенца, старичка прикрою...
With it I'll cover our old man, like a baby...
Спи, мой дружок, мужичок счастливый,
Sleep, my little friend, happy wretch,
Лето пришло, расцвело!
The summer has come and blossomed!
Над нивой солнышко смеётся да серпы гляют,
Above the fields the sun is laughing and sickles roam,
Песенка несётся, голубки летают...
The song hovers around; the doves are flying about...”
18. Songs and Dances of Death - The Field Marshal
Грохочет битва, блешут брони,
The battle is thundering, the armour is shining,
Орудья жадные ревут,
Copper cannons are roaring,
Бегут полки, несутся кони
The troops are running, the horses are rushing
И реки красные текут.
And red rivers are flowing.
Пылает полдень, люди бьются;
The midday is blazing -- people are fighting,
Склонилось солнце, бой сильней;
The sun is declining -- the fight is stronger,
Закат бледнеет, но дерутся
The sunset is fading away -- but the enemies
Враги все яростней и злей.
Are still battling more fierce and hateful.
И пала ночь на поле брани.
And night has fallen on the battlefield.
Дружины в мраке разошлись...
The armies have parted in the darkness...
Всё стихло, и в ночном тумане
Everything has fallen quiet, and in the night's mist
Стенанья к небу поднялись.
The groans have risen to the heavens.
Тогда, озарена луною,
Then, illuminated by moonlight,
На боевом своём коне,
On her battle horse,
Костей сверкая белизною,
Shining with the whiteness of her bones,
Явилась смерть; и в тишине,
Appeared Death; and in the silence,
Внимая вопли и молитвы,
Taking in moans and prayers,
Довольства гордого полна,
Full of proud satisfaction,
Как полководец место битвы
Like a field marshal she circled around
Кругом объехала она.
The place of battle,
На холм поднявшись, оглянулась,
And having ridden to the top on the hill,
Остановилась, улыбнулась...
looked around, stopped, smiled....
И над равниной боевой
And above the battlefield
Раздался голос роковой:
Roared her fateful voice:
,,Кончена битва! я всех победила!
"The battle is finished! I won over everyone!
Все предо мной вы смирились, бойцы!
You all submitted before me, soldiers!
Жизнь вас поссорила, я помирила!
Life has made you quarrel, I have reconciled you!
Дружно вставайте на смотр, мертвецы!
Stand up as one for the parade, corpses!
Маршем торжественным мимо пройдите,
Pass in front of me in a pompous march,
Войско моё я хочу сосчитать;
I want to count my troops;
В землю потом свои кости сложите,
Then deposit your bones into the earth,
Сладко от жизни в земле отдыхать!
It is sweet to rest from life in the ground!
Годы незримо пройдут за годами,
Year after year will pass,
В людях исчезнет и память о вас.
And even the memory of you will disappear.
Я не забуду и громко над вами
I will not forget and loudly above you
Пир буду править в полуночный час!
Will hold a feast at the midnight hour!
Пляской тяжёлою землю сырую
With a heavy dance I'll trample
Я притопчу, чтобы сень гробовую
The raw earth, so that the realm of the grave
Кости покинуть вовек не могли,
Your bones will never be able to leave,
Чтоб никогда вам не встать из земли!
So that you'll never rise from the ground!"
Words of Thanks
On this special occasion, I want to express my deep gratitude to all those who have supported and helped me along the way. Graduation is a significant milestone in my life, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the unwavering support of my beloved wife, Qingzi Tang and the guidance of my professor, John Tessier.
My wife, Qingzi, you have been my pillar of strength, providing me with endless love and support. Your understanding and encouragement have been the driving force behind my journey, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have you by my side. Thank you, my dear, for making everything brighter with your presence.
Professor John Tessier, your guidance and mentorship have allowed me to take confident strides on my career and academic path. Your wisdom and motivation have kept me focused on the pursuit of excellence. I will forever appreciate all that you have done for me.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has crossed paths with me and offered selfless support and assistance. Your friendships and support have been my strength as I moved forward, and I will cherish these valuable connections always.
Thank you all, for it is because of you that I stand on this stage today. None of this would have been possible without your support. Let us celebrate this momentous occasion together!
With heartfelt thanks,
Jin Yu