Rite of Dragon
In ancient China, the dragon was a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it. On Spring Equinox, the Emperor would go the Altar of the Sun and officiate a ritual in order to pray for the country so that his people could live in affluence in the coming year. It was believed that the rituals could drive away bad luck and natural disasters and bring good fortune and bountiful harvest to the people. Written in contemporary style with multiple tonalities, the composer intends to depict the mysterious culture of ancient China in these sacrificial rituals. This piece was commissioned by the Handbell Association of Hong Kong for the 16th International Handbell Symposium in Jeju, Korea in 2014.