~ Scenes of the ancient Indian epic «Ramayana» retold through music of the Pipa and Chinese orchestra 琵琶與國樂團演繹印度史詩《羅摩衍那》~
本影像由NCO臺灣國樂團提供 Video courtesy of the National Chinese Orchestra, Taiwan
琵琶協奏曲《羅摩》時長17分鐘，取材於兩千年前的印度史詩《羅摩衍那》。琵琶獨奏扮演了主人翁羅摩的角色，隨著樂隊的伴奏與梵文詩詞的念誦，通過三個樂章演繹故事中的幾個重大事件。
一、《阿逾陀篇》：年邁國王宣布讓位給太子羅摩，阿逾陀城的民眾歌頌著羅摩的美德，准備加冕典禮。宮廷內卻醞釀著陰謀：非羅摩生母的王后（由板胡代表）為了讓自己的親生子繼位，脅迫老國王發配羅摩到森林裡十四年。老國王被逼無奈，悲痛不已。羅摩為使父王不失信義，甘願被放逐，羅摩之妻和弟弟自願陪同流放。市民們依依不舍地送走三人。
二、《森林篇》：高胡的淒美旋律是羅摩之妻悉達的主題。羅摩與悉達的主題對位性的交融表現了夫妻間的恩愛。他們在森林裡過著簡單平靜的生活。有一天，一隻奇妙的金鹿出現在他們屋前。悉達被迷住了，叫羅摩趕緊抓住它。金鹿引著羅摩越跑越遠，直到羅摩拔箭射中它，使它原形畢露-原來那是隻妖怪偽裝的（由中音嗩吶代表）。妖怪模仿羅摩的嗓音高聲呼救（由樂隊中的琵琶代表），以從悉達身邊引走羅摩的弟弟。此時，毫無防衛的悉達單獨留在屋中。當羅摩發現中計趕回屋子，悉達已經不見蹤影。
三、《戰斗篇》：羅摩與猴國的盟軍進攻楞伽島（斯裡蘭卡）解救被囚禁的悉達，與十首魔王的軍隊（由吹管組代表）激烈交戰。最后，羅摩以一支神箭射殺了魔王。羅摩與悉達團圓，而此時正是流放期滿，羅摩回國登基，阿逾陀城進入太平盛世。
附加信息：
- 琵琶獨奏的定弦為AEEA，即把D弦調高到E
- 羅摩主題的節奏來自於梵文詩詞的anuṣṭubh韻律
«Rama» is a 17-minute concerto for Pipa and Chinese orchestra inspired by the Indian epic «Rāmāyaṇa» dating back 2000 years, one of the key works of Sanskrit literature which has shaped the culture and performing arts of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The Pipa solo plays the role of the protagonist Rāma. With the orchestra's accompaniment and chanting of Sanskrit verses, main events in the story are depicted in three movements:
I. Book of Ayodhya (Ayodhya Kāṇḍa)
The piece opens in a festive mood as Ayodhya city prepares for the coronation of prince Rāma, whom the old king has just appointed to succeed him. As the people sing praises of Rāma's virtues, queen Kaikeyī (represented by the Banhu), who is not Rāma's birth mother, claims two boons that the king granted her long ago - she demands Rāma to be exiled for 14 years and her own son to be crowned. The king is devastated but cannot go back on his word. Rāma calmly accepts her demand in order to preserve the king's reputation. Rāma's wife and brother choose to accompany him in exile, and the citizens reluctantly send off the trio.
II. Book of the Forest (Araṇya Kāṇḍa)
The Gaohu's lyrical, bittersweet melody is the theme of Sītā, Rāma's wife. Rāma's and Sītā's themes interact in counterpoint, portraying their love. Their peaceful life in the forest is interrupted one day by the appearance of a beautiful golden deer (represented by the bamboo flute). Sītā is mesmerized and asks Rāma to capture it. The deer leads Rāma further and further away, until Rāma shoots it, whereupon it reveals its true form as a demon (represented by the alto Suona). The demon imitates Rāma's voice and calls out for help (represented by the Pipa in the orchestra), thus luring away Rāma's brother from Sītā's side, leaving Sītā defenceless. Rāma realizes the ploy and rushes back to his forest hut, but Sītā has already disappeared.
III. Book of War (Yuddha Kāṇḍa)
Rāma and his allies from the monkey kingdom track Sītā to Lanka island (present day Sri Lanka), where she is held captive by the ten-headed demon king Ravana (represented by the suona section). Rāma’s and Ravana’s armies engage in a fierce battle. Finally, Rāma fires a magical arrow and kills Ravana. Rāma reunites with Sītā, and both return to Ayodhya where they are welcomed by elated citizens. Rāma, whose exile period has just ended, ascends the throne and rules over a prosperous kingdom of virtuous people.
Trivia:
- The Pipa is tuned to AEEA in this piece instead of the usual ADEA
- The rhythm of Rama’s theme is derived from the “anuṣṭubh” meter of Sanskrit poetry
作曲：王辰威 Composer: WANG Chenwei
琵琶：梁家寧 Pipa: LIANG Chia-Ning
指揮: 葉和中 Conductor: Ho Chung YEH
臺灣國樂團 National Chinese Orchestra, Taiwan
2018-03-21於臺北國家音樂廳 at the National Concert Hall, Taipei
請在以下網頁閱讀樂曲解說和梵文誦詞：
Read the full synopsis and Sanskrit verses at:
wangchenwei.wordpress.com/rama/