A.Water 02

The first piece in a pentalogy devoted to emotions of flower viewing. It was performed in RY760? for the pleasure of V'neef Mahara's court. The song spanned the Hour of the Snake with clockwork precision as guests awaited budding plum blossoms in a seasonal flower viewing. The rhapsody was composed and performed by Lady Ledaal Shinjo on the guqin, the "scholar of instruments", and accompaniment by a mortal musician on a steel tongue drum.

A longer work, yet remaining collected in a single movement by structure to provide an air of improvisation and playfulness. The central musical motifs begin, fade, and return in a slow, tantalizing tease of the senses. At the turning of the hour the first blossoms open as the rising strings and frenetic energy celebrate the most beautiful moments of the coldest month.