Symphony 1997: Heaven Earth Mankind

Composer: DUN, Tan
  • Dun wrote Symphony 1997: Heaven Earth Mankind for a ceremony marking the reunification of Hong Kong with China on July 1st, 1997.
  • Symphony 1997 is scored for children’s chorus, solo cello, orchestra, and Bianzhong bells.
    • The solo cello part was written specifically for Yo-Yo Ma.1
    • Fun fact: Bianzhong bells have been used for ~ 2,400 years (!).
  • As noted in the symphony’s subtitle, the work is organized into three sections – “Heaven,” “Earth,” and “Mankind.” It opens and closes with the “Song of Peace,” which can also function as a standalone piece.2

Sources

  1. Edward Green, “Tan Dun,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000042657.
  2. “Tan Dun Symphony 1997,” Gramophone (1997), accessed April 20, 2026, https://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/tan-dun-symphony-1997.

Cut IDs

30178