Скачать или смотреть Moo-Lee-Chwa (Mo Li Hua 茉莉花) arranged Karl Kambra c.1794.

DIVERTISSEMENTS CHINOIS:
Philippa Hyde: soprano
Agnes Chin: guzheng
Yeo Yat-Soon: harpsichord

This traditional Chinese melody was arranged by the German-born, London-based composer Karl Kambra and published as one of his 'Two Chinese Songs' published in London around 1794. An explanatory notes says that: "The Following Chinese Songs were brought to England by a gentleman of the late Embassy to China who took them down upon the spot. Their originality therefore can be depended on." The Embassy refers to the British diplomatic mission to China led by George, Earl Macartney between 1792 and 1793. The aim of the so-called 'Macartney Embassy' was to negotiate more favourable trading arrangements for Great Britain with Qing Dynasty China. Although the mission met the Qianlong Emperor, it was ultimately unsuccessful in its trading aims. However, on its return several members of the mission, including Macartney himself wrote extensively of their travels. These were some of the earliest comprehensive eye-witness accounts of British visitors to China.

Kambra first presents the melody with an English transliteration of the Chinese text, followed by an arrangement in an English translation with the addition of bass line. We introduce the melody on an unaccompanied guzheng, then with voice and guzheng in the 18th century Chinese transliteration; we conclude with Kambra's arrangement with all three performers. The lyrics are in praise of the jasmine flower. This is a very well-known Chinese folk song which is still widely sung today.

Video by Benji Page