Hujia《胡笳》– Cai Wenji (177-249 AD), arr.: Lan Tung (2001)
－ vocal, erhu, zheng & percussion (2001)
－ vocal, erhu, zheng, sheng, cello & percussion (2025)
Lan’s arrangement consists of a few sections from the ancient score of 18 Sections of Hujia, believed to be an autobiographical piece by Lady Cai of the late Han Dynasty. Lady Cai was captured during a war by the Huns and taken to live in Central Asia. After 12 years, the Han negotiated for her release. Although overjoyed to be able to return home, she was also deeply sad to leave behind her children with the Huns king. Hujia was recorded by the Orchid Ensemble on its 2024 JUNO nominated CD – Road to Kashgar.
lyrics in Chinese: 胡 笳 十 八 拍 – 蔡琰
我生之初尚無為，我生之後漢祚衰。天不仁兮降亂離，地不仁兮使我逢此時。
干戈日尋兮道路危，民卒流亡兮共哀悲。煙塵蔽野兮胡虜盛，志意乖兮節義虧。
對殊俗兮非我宜，遭惡辱兮當告誰？
處穹廬兮偶殊俗。願得歸來兮天從欲，再還漢國兮歡心足。
心有懷兮愁轉深，日月無私兮曾不照臨。
子母分離兮意難任，同天隔越兮如商參，生死不相知兮何處尋！
我生之初尚無為，我生之後漢祚衰。天不仁兮降亂離，地不仁兮使我逢此時。
干戈日尋兮道路危，民卒流亡兮共哀悲。煙塵蔽野兮胡虜盛，志意乖兮節義虧。
對殊俗兮非我宜，遭惡辱兮當告誰？
處穹廬兮偶殊俗。願得歸來兮天從欲，再還漢國兮歡心足。
心有懷兮愁轉深，日月無私兮曾不照臨。
子母分離兮意難任，同天隔越兮如商參，生死不相知兮何處尋！