3PEOPLEMUSIC – Him, Her, It, and Three (Wind Music in 2024)
Taiwanese ensemble 3PEOPLEMUSIC has released its third album “Him, Her, It, and Three. The group includes three skilled traditional Chinese instrument musicians: Kuo Jing-mu on guzheng (plucked zither), Pan I-tung on zhongruan (plucked lute), and Jen Chung on dizi and xiao flutes.
Formed in 2013, the ensemble combines classical Chinese music with contemporary perspectives, aiming to advance the presence of traditional Chinese instruments in Taiwan’s music scene. Their focus encompasses performance types, composing styles, and branding.
Renowned for their virtuosity, diverse musical range, and extensive repertoire spanning various styles and genres, the trio seamlessly transitions from skilled improvisation to engaging cross-genre performances, exploring contemporary compositions and world music. Their splendid presentations transcend generational divides and geographical boundaries, highlighting the versatility of traditional music and instruments.
In Taiwan, diverse musical genres like jazz, Japanese rock, and Taiwanese folk songs have organically integrated into everyday life, creating new amalgamations. Given this context, traditional Chinese music works naturally to evolve. Moreover, 3PEOPLEMUSIC collaborates with multilingual music creators, delving into perspectives on jazz, South Indian, Japanese rock, and Taiwanese folk songs, examining the ensemble’s relationship with each genre.
Track information
Track 01, titled “A-Zhi Watches the Ox’s Tail Sway” (8:01), features A-Zhi’s story, a young woman from the countryside facing the prospect of an arranged marriage. Utilizing traditional Taiwanese folk songs, the piece portrays A-Zhi’s emotional journey through four sections: a leisurely allegro, a melancholic andante, a wandering allegro, and a rebellious presto.
Track 02, “Three People Dance” (8:30), showcases the band’s ability to mix traditional Chinese instruments creatively. The piece explores the theme of “three” through various musical elements, including rhythms, dynamics, and voice dialogs. It incorporates solo, duet, and trio dances, symbolizing the challenges and rewards of collaboration.
Track 03, “Proceeding” (9:02), reflects on the concept of moving forward in life with clarity and composure. It portrays the journey of self-discovery and acceptance through diverse phases.
Track 04, “Arashi” (6:52), depicts the ascent from low ground to a mountain peak, inspired by childhood memories of the composer. It combines Chinese musical instruments with rhythmic techniques from Southern Indian Carnatic music, presenting a fusion of cultural influences.
Track 05, “LaSoRe” (8:42), explores the sol-fa notes “la,” “so,” and “re” in three distinct scenarios: exploration, enchantment, and integration, symbolizing the evolution of sound and harmony.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.