Tan Dun
- Tan Dun Fight Scene - photo by Tomasz Wiech
While our national orchestra has done a great deal to broaden its appeal in recent years – including notable collaborations with Salmonella Dub and Little Bushman – it’s probably safe to say you probably don’t associate the NZSO with martial arts movies.
That’s about to change, however, with a special concert they’ve lined up to mark the Year of the Snake and Chinese New Year (and, as it happens, a certain commercial holiday associated with romance). The NZSO will perform scores from three classic martial arts films – The Banquet, Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – conducted by the acclaimed composer of those scores, Tan Dun.
Tan Dun Martial Arts Trilogy will be a true multimedia experience, with scenes from the films projected above the orchestra as they play – the graceful, balletic martial arts choreography providing the ideal accompaniment to Tan’s epic compositions. Tan will be joined on stage by violinist Ryu Goto, pianist Yingdi Sun, and Tan Wei on traditional Chinese erhu – each representing a different character from the trilogy.
Tan Dun Warrior - photo by Tomasz Wiech
Tan Dun is no stranger to our shores – back in 1988 he spent seven weeks here on a fellowship at Victoria University, and since then has returned to perform with the NZSO several times. His score for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon may have netted him an Oscar (and global attention) – but he was already a rising star at that point, having received several international awards and numerous important commissions.
Tan Dun Blue - photo by Tomasz Wiech
The opportunity to see Tan conduct his Martial Arts Trilogy – let alone with the NZSO – is a rare one, and you’re strongly encouraged to take advantage of it.
Tan Dun Martial Arts Trilogy, 14 February 2013, Michael Fowler Centre (NZSO website)
Tan Dun Martial Arts Trilogy trailer (Vimeo)
UPDATED: Thanks to everyone who entered our Tan Dun competition. The winners were Cas and Ming – hope you both enjoy the show.
- By Jarrod, 49 comments
- Posted 6 February 2013
49 comments
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Enter the dragon would have to be the most remembered Martial arts movie i have recollection of due to the fact that apparently that was the only thing that could keep me quiet whilst in the care of my grandfather..Must have been those awesome sound effects...wheres my invincible army when i need them.
By Zoe, 7 February 2013
'Crouching Tiger' opened my eyes (and ears) to the incredible way martial arts could be choreographed to music, but 'Hero' tops it for sheer inventive awesomeness. The drum sequence gave me goosebumps!
By Dan, 7 February 2013
crouching tiger hidden dragon
By Tarryn, 7 February 2013
My favourite is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, because it includes a lot of old Chinese culture.
By Susan Zou, 7 February 2013
My favorite is Shanghai Noon, where Jackie Chan has a lot of good action.
By ilkka havukkala, 7 February 2013
What an amazing idea, I don't imagine the words Martial arts and Orchestra appear in the same sentence often. I'd love to see how they are put together on a stage.
By Cindy, 7 February 2013
Crouching Tiger is the best martial arts film - dramatic, exciting, adventurous, enthralling.
By Alison Spencer, 7 February 2013
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon would have to be my all-time favourite - incredibly well done scenes of flying through the air - if only I could do that !!
By Diane Wilkie, 7 February 2013
Kung Fu Hustle is one of the latest Martial Arts film I really enjoy watching. I have watched many traditional Chinese Martial Arts film while I grow up, but not many of them I'd remember the music in the film.
By ting, 7 February 2013
House of Flying Daggers does it for me. Bittersweet romance and plenty of breathtaking action where the martial arts skills are showcased alongside the compelling music score.
By Vicky, 7 February 2013
Although I've seen a couple of Martial Arts Movies, and of course been to the orchestra many times, I think its innovative to put the two togethe.r How fantastic!!!!!!!!
By Christina Smucar, 7 February 2013
Fingers crossed I win tickets. I would love to see this!
By Imelda, 7 February 2013
SPL had to be one of the best MA movie for me. With the come back from Donnie Yen, feature top rank killer fighters Sammo and Wu Jing, it was certainly breathe taking throughout the whole film, full of wooo and ahhh fight scenes :0) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb1keOukr1I
By J Chan, 7 February 2013
Hero - can't wait to hear it live conducted by the maestro!
By Rion, 7 February 2013
Have a look at "Drunken Master" 1 or 2 to see Jackie Chan do amazing physical stunts.
By Andrew Gee, 7 February 2013
this looks fantastic, i would love to go
By doug, 7 February 2013
this would be awesome to go too, hope i win
By bonnie, 7 February 2013
what an amazing idea, i love the old martial arts movies which would sound great done by the NZSO
By d. prince, 7 February 2013
Zhang Yimou's Hero
By James, 7 February 2013
Ip Man!
By Piers Wall, 7 February 2013
Not martial arts per se, but RED CLIFF, the long version was an amazing movie. Great battle strategies and fight scenes, not to mention the princess on a spy mission in the enemy camp as a soldier.
By Ming, 7 February 2013
I'm a big fan all martial arts movies - Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Once Upon a Time in China, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon the list g
goes on, not forgetting the Shaw Brothers productions - awesome!
By Brenda, 7 February 2013
Hmmm, interesting, I was just watching Mao's last dancer at the weekend and it reminded me of the old Bruce Lee movies we used to watch. My mum saw Bruce Lee live when she was living in Singapore with my dad.
By Christina Tay, 7 February 2013
The Raid would have to be my favourite martial arts movie, just for the non-stop intensity of it.
By Alistar, 7 February 2013
Love Enter the Dragon too - a classic introduction to martial arts type films.
Bruce Lee was great
By Gary Jowett, 7 February 2013
My favorite movie is "Wu Ji" aka "The Promise". It's a real chinese kung fu movie with every ingredient: a bad guy who looks like a real bad guy and a hero guided by spirits.
By Nicolas, 7 February 2013
Definitely Crouching Tiger, it has a realistic, traditional feel to it.
By S Goodall, 7 February 2013
Kung Fu Hustle - it adds a bit of humour to the martial arts
By M Meade, 7 February 2013
One-Bak
By Gareth, 7 February 2013
Enter the Dragon because it was the first Bruce Lee movie I ever saw in the highlands of Zimbabwe and the culture shock was beyond words!
By Tracy, 7 February 2013
`Crouching tiger, Hidden dragon', as it`s so cleverly filmed and action packed!
By Rosemary Cole, 7 February 2013
House of Flying Daggers - great story, fantastic filming - the opening scene is amazing!!
By Sally, 7 February 2013
hard call between hero and house of flying daggers, loved both
By lisa, 7 February 2013
Love NZSO!
By Angela Williams, 7 February 2013
Sounds like an interesting, intriguing concert - I have find memories of Shanghai Noon!
By Christine Binns, 7 February 2013
Shaolin Soccer - hilarious movie that everyone would love!
By Nat, 8 February 2013
Mary Poppins - quite definitely. The umbrellas!!!
By Sue Boland, 8 February 2013
Crouching tiger hidden dragon
By Nebojsa Joveljic, 8 February 2013
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
By Hazel, 8 February 2013
My favourite martial arts movie is 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. I loved the martial arts sequences being played very slowly so you could see all the detail and movement.
By Helen Lagan, 9 February 2013
Shaolin Wooden Men is my partner's favourite and got him into training martial arts. I personally can't decide if Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Hero is my favourite but both my partner and I agree that Tan Dun's music is just impressive and magnificent.
By Kat, 9 February 2013
Drunken Master
By Amanda B, 9 February 2013
One of my favourite martial arts movies is Kung Fu Hustle - great martial arts choreography and really funny too!
By Mike, 10 February 2013
Kung Fu Hustle was really great. Opened my eyes to what a martial arts movie could be.
By Giselle, 11 February 2013
Definitely crouching tiger hidden dragon!
By Ryan Crawford, 11 February 2013
I like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon as it was the first martial arts film I saw, and it made me realise how great these films were
By Cas, 11 February 2013
The One-Armed Swordsman. It's classic, PLUS he only has one arm!
By Nat, 11 February 2013
my favourite is Return Of The Dragon (1972)... great movie where Bruce Lee acts, directs and choreographs the whole thing! its a must-see!
By Paula, 11 February 2013
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - one of the best
By Joyce, 11 February 2013