Xue: From South to North, Two Chinese Folk Songs for Trombone and Piano

From South to North, Two Chinese Folk Songs for Trombone and Piano, arranged by arr. Tianyu Xue.

Jasmine Flower (Mo Li Hua - 茉莉花) is one of the most beloved traditional Chinese melodies originating from the Jiangnan region and admired for its graceful melody and refined elegance. Deeply rooted in Chinese vocal tradition, the piece reflects the natural flow and expressive nuance of the Chinese language. This work vividly portrays a beautiful girl attracted to the fragrant and beautiful jasmine flower, torn between the desire to pick and the reluctance to part with it.

This composition reimagines Jasmine Flower for trombone by drawing on the close relationship between language and musical articulation. Inspired by the inflection and phrasing of the original lyrics, the musical line is carefully shaped to emulate a vocal approach, encouraging performers to explore fluid phrasing, nuanced articulation, and tonal flexibility. 

The North Wind Blows, Tying A Red Headband (北⻛吹，扎红头绳) is a well-known Chinese melody from the opera The White-Haired Girl, recognized for its expressive lyricism and strong narrative character. Through evocative imagery such as the “north wind” and the “red headband,” the music reflects a poignant emotional landscape shaped by hardship, resilience, and hope, while retaining the simplicity of its folk origins and the depth of its dramatic context.

This piece emphasizes natural phrasing and expressive storytelling, allowing the music to unfold in a way that feels closely connected to the character of the original song. Performers are encouraged to shape each phrase with flexibility, sensitivity, and a strong sense of musical direction.