Music for Tai Chi
by Elizabeth Alexander
Clarinet - Sheet Music

Chamber ensemble: flute, clarinet, violin, cello, 2 percussionists, piano - Moderate

SKU: SF.SEA-038-00

Composed by Elizabeth Alexander. Duration 15 minutes. Published by Seafarer Press (SF.SEA-038-00).

This lyrical and evocative work was written to accompany an already existing choreography, the short form of the Chinese martial art, Tai Chi Chu'an. The short form, a series of slow meditative movements with poetic names such as "white stork spreads wings" and "carry tiger to mountain," is the foundation for Tai Chi's self-discipline and self-defense. This 15-minute musical work may either be performed on its own, or as a musical accompaniment to the short form. When performed with a martial artist, the music follows the physical gestures, rather than the other way around, creating a fluid and meditative background to this ancient choreography.