A Study On Pentatonic Technique And Connotations In Iris Devoilee By Chen Qigang

Iris Devoilee is a concerted suite for3female voice,3traditional Chinese instruments and grand orchestra,which was created in2001by Chen qigang, a French composer of Chinese origin. It is one of the representative works by Chen qigang in his mature period and also one of the most excellent works. In this suite, Chinese traditional pentatonic scale plays an important role in shaping the musical image. Pentatonic scale, as the cornerstone of the whole song, runs through in many aspects of music development such as melodic processing, harmony setting and tonality arrangement etc. The treatment of pentatonic scale not only follows the tradition but adds the creative development of modern techniques. On the other hand, the unique connotation of Iris Devoilee is the artistic conception blending eastern and western culture, which is created on the basis of pentatonic scale.This paper is composed of four chapters, focusing on the use of pentatonic tone element and always regarding it as the standpoint. Chapter one introduces the learning and growing background of Chen qigang, the creation process of Iris Devoilee, and summarizes the use of pentatonic scale in Chen’s early works. Chapter two further analyzes the use of pentatonic scale in Iris Devoilee, from the angles of harmony, melody and tonality etc. Chapter three, on the basis of background and technical analyses, combining composition techniques of accompanying instruments, refines the unique connotation of Iris Devoilee. Chapter four is the summary and conclusion of the findings in previous chapters.