Artistic Features And Performance Interpretations Of Tan Dun’s Piano Suite Memory

Tan Dun is a well-known Chinese composer whose piano suite Eight Memories in Water Color (hereinafter referred to as Memories) was composed in1978. Formed by eight vivid ditties, the entire suite gives audience an attractive impression. Although each movement is short, they have different styles, which are full of high artistic value and aesthetic appeal.On the basis of analyzing the composition of suite Memories, this paper mainly discusses the perfect combination of Chinese style and western composition techniques in this suite. With principles of performing art and self-practice experience, as well as analyzing the work’s national characteristics and phase expression and tunes, the paper aims at accurately expressing artistic features of this suite.The paper is divided into four chapters, the first chapter describes the origin and significance of this topic, analyzes the current situation and reviews relevant research literature, and the research methods are introduced in this paper as well. The second chapter outlines Tan Dun’s life and study experiences, and chronologically summarizes Tan Dun’s works. By studying harmony, melody, rhythm, and musical instruments of Memories, the third chapter explained its Chinese style.The fourth chapter is in-depth analysis of musical content, musical structure, performance and other aspects of the method, and thus gives a deeper interpretation in performance of Memories.At the same time, the paper tries to enhance the learners’ ability of grasping Chinese style of piano works by this suite which is full of distinctive ethnic features.