According to Vietnamese legend, when the Mountain Spirit and Water Spirit fought for the hand of the beautiful princess Mỵ Nương, the Mountain Spirit finally won her over. Heart- broken and furious, the Water Spirit summoned fierce storms, rains, floods, and sea monsters to chase after the newlyweds. To protect the princess and many sentient beings from the Water Spirit’s wrath, the Mountain Spirit raised mountains, moved hills, and created levees. At the end of the battle, the Water Spirit withdrew, but he never gave up on the princess. Therefore, every year, he wages the battle against the Mountain Spirit. This legend explains the annual storms and floods in my country.
Vietnam is enduring the severe consequences of climate change and global warming: the monsoon seasons and natural patterns have become more unpredictable, extreme, and dangerous. As my people are suffering, I cannot help but wonder what would happen if one day, the Water Spirit finally won the battle with his growing wrath?
I started writing this piece in the summer of 2021, when I was participating in the Composing for Percussion Seminar 2021 hosted by Furman University. At the same time, I was the Music Consultant of Lullabies of the River Project, funded by the British Council under The Rivers of Life, delivering locally in the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
Recording by the Furman University Percussion Ensemble on May 15, 2022.
Player I: 2 Tomtoms, Concert Bass Drum, Tambourine 1 (not mounted) and 2 (mounted)
Player II: 2 Congas (high and low), 2 Bongos (high and low), and Rainstick
Player III: Tamtam (with bow), Suspended Cymbal, and Clash Cymbals
Player IV: Triangle, Tambourine 3 (not mounted),* and Thundersheet
* In Movement III, the player can add an optional tambourine to make the long rolls smoother.