Category: Reflection

Recently, I have had in-depth discussions on translating Chinese poems with several friends. Beyond delivering the meaning of the original works, we talked about the necessity of staying close to the wording and the structure.

Word-for-word translations are essential for art song interpretations. When composers set a poem to music, the connection between words and musical expressions is direct and instantaneous. Singers and pianists must be sensitive to such intimacy.

In my translations of Chinese poems, whenever possible, I attempted to stay close to the original wording and word-placements. At times, this approach might result in less poetic-sounding verses. It is less likely to show the rhyme schemes. However, it will help the interpreters to match the emotional evolvements in the pieces.

Personally, I also believe that it is extremely important to search for the right words that not only deliver the meaning of the texts but also reflect the characters of the poems. Folk-oriented verses should sound natural and fluid; ornate poems should be rich and gorgeous.

There is never a perfect translation of any text, regardless of the forms, the contents, and the languages. I am, amongst many, making my best efforts to be the conduit of ideas and expressions.

My first post-shutdown performance came in the form of a video session a few days ago. As I checked all the necessities—music, clothing, shoes, and cosmetics—in the morning, I felt a moment of palpitations. Rather than excitement, it was a sign of nervousness. The kind of nervousness that one feels facing an unfamiliar situation.

The repertoire was a standard one. The environment was friendly. I knew all the faces in the room. However, initially, we were all a bit timid, returning to our works for the first time since last year.

I am usually critical of my own work and never feel confident with recordings. This time, I was simply pleased that my fingers went to the right places at the right time. I was glad to be able to tell the stories with sounds.  All the emotions that have been accumulated in the past months slowly came out of my fingertips—like a large shapeless piece of rock, slowly melting.

I was content. No more and no less. Simply, content.