The Four Seasons of China
Production
Composed by young composer
Ziyang Wen
Commissioned by
Major Music
Commissioned by：
MAJOR Performing Arts Group
Presented to violinist
Siqing LU
Ensemble：
MAJOR Ensemble
Performed in
Changsha,
Wuhan,
Hangzhou,
Shanghai and more
Total duration:
approx. 45-50 min;
Commissioned by MAJOR Performing Arts Group, The Four Seasons of China is a contemporary violin concerto suite composed by rising composer Ziyang Wen and dedicated to world-renowned violinist Siqing Lu. Performed with the MAJOR Ensemble, this work presents a distinctive Chinese voice within the universal theme of “Four Seasons”, engaging in dialogue between Eastern and Western artistic traditions.
Premiered in 2024, The Four Seasons of China has drawn significant attention from both audiences and industry professionals, and has since been presented at major concert halls and festivals across China. The project aspires to become a modern counterpart to classic Four Seasons works on the global stage—an artistic vehicle for cultural storytelling and mutual understanding.
Background & Features
Throughout music history, the theme of the “Four Seasons” has inspired iconic works—from Vivaldi’s Baroque violin concerti, Haydn’s oratorio, Tchaikovsky’s piano suite, to Piazzolla’s tango-infused interpretation. These works celebrate the cyclical rhythms of nature and life.
China’s rich seasonal culture, deeply rooted in agrarian traditions and expressed through a wealth of musical and poetic imagery, has yet to yield a widely recognized “Four Seasons” work that can resonate on an international stage.
In response, The Four Seasons of China emerges—a new creation grounded in Chinese cultural heritage and expressed through a global musical language. Blending poetry, painting, and music, it offers a fresh voice in the lineage of “Four Seasons” works worldwide.
Gallery
Composer’s Notes
“In the end, I chose to compose my own Four Seasons: the people, the stories, and the emotions of the seasons. Each of us has our own Four Seasons.”
— Ziyang Wen
Artistic Features
Dialogue with Classics:
Engages in conversation with iconic Four Seasons works (Vivaldi, Piazzolla), infusing Chinese aesthetics and cosmology
Lunar Calendar Structure:
Twelve movements based on China’s lunar calendar, with poetic movement titles and regional inspirations
Original Melodies & Colors:
Entirely original composition blending folk motifs and modern techniques to create a “sound map” of China
Global Appeal:
Balances artistic depth with audience accessibility, designed for international chamber ensemble performances
Movement Descriptions
Spring
Early Spring
The Radiance of All Life
In the lingering frost, unseen life stirs beneath — a prelude to spring’s awakening.
Mid-Spring
Willows in the Mist
Mist veils budding willows by the riverbank, as the air hums with gentle spring vitality.
Late Spring
Blossoms in Full Glory
A jubilant scene of myriad blossoms in full bloom, vibrant with nature’s exuberance.
Summer
Huai Xu
A Summer Day at Shichahai
(Huai Xu: traditional poetic name for early summer in Chinese culture)
Early summer in Beijing: boaters drift on the shimmering lake, amidst rhythmic echoes of the city.
Mid-Summer
Pastoral Melody on a Summer Night
A tranquil summer night on the grasslands, where gentle breezes and songs of herdsmen fill the starlit air.
Great Heat
Height of Summer
(Dashu, a Chinese Solar Term)
Under the relentless heat, restless energy simmers — mirroring the scorching heart of summer.
Autumn
Early Autumn
Autumn Waltz
Leaves swirl and fall in a graceful waltz, as the crisp air blends joy with wistful longing.
Mid-Autumn
Song of the Harvest
Strings dance in celebration, evoking the vibrant joy of harvest time.
Late Autumn
Elegy
As nature retreats into stillness, poignant melodies echo the melancholy of late autumn.
Winter
Early Winter
Chilly Night
In the stillness of a snowy night, silent flakes drift down, cloaking the world in shimmering quietude.
Mid-Winter
The Solitary Cadenza
Amid swirling snow, the violin’s solitary voice strides forth — embodying resilience in isolation.
Year’s End
New Year’s Celebration
As the old year wanes, jubilant tones herald the Lunar New Year — a uniquely Chinese moment of joyful renewal.
The Four Seasons of China
Commission & Artistic Team
Composer：Ziyang Wen
Violin Soloist：Siqing Lu
Ensemble：MAJOR Ensemble
Commissioned by：MAJOR Performing Arts Group
Program & Performance Information
Flexible Programming
The Four Seasons of China may be performed either on its own or paired with Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons to create a compelling “Eight Seasons” program, bridging East and West, tradition and modernity—a format well received on global stages.