评朱临湘的华语原创歌曲 兼谈音乐的多元文化和音乐人的成长（郑滨耀）（美中報道）
她的名字提醒她故乡在远方。她在湖南张家界一个音乐家庭里长大，从小受到桑植白族土家族音乐文化的熏陶，上世纪九十年代就开始尝试创作艺术歌曲。来美国后她拿了教育心理学博士学位，从事中文教学，却放不下早已融入心灵的音乐梦想。她结合创作与教学，鼓励和指导美国学生唱中文歌、写中文歌词。她就是乔治亚州克莱顿郡的资深中文教师、正进入音乐爱好者视线的华语歌曲创作人朱临湘。
去年秋天，亚特兰大著名餐饮文化沙龙“一凡中央厨房”举办了一系列文化艺术活动。不久，一凡接到朱临湘的电话，说受活动的启发，也想在那儿办一场个人音乐会。我作为一凡文化沙龙的特约写稿人，听到这个消息十分高兴。后来得知，这个构思中的音乐会还不是一般的个人演唱会，而是原创作品音乐会！欣喜之余我不无担心：有专业音乐人乐意演唱和演奏这些作品吗？效果会是怎样？
2023年4月15日下午，林荫掩映中的一凡春光明媚，兰花幽香，“最美人间四月天——亚特兰大华语原创歌曲音乐会”在这里隆重举行。打开表演嘉宾名单，演唱者除了朱临湘，还有彝族歌后王美玉、花腔女高音田栗丰、女高音金秋；为之伴奏的是专业钢琴师Dr.Gabria和青年键盘手田佳奕。著名男高音歌唱家宋扬作艺术指导，原江苏昆山电视台主持人野樱和中文教师吉斯联袂主持。看到这些我认识和不认识的艺术家们欣然支持，我的疑虑顿时消除了。
果然，朱临湘为我们带来了许多惊喜。音乐会的开场曲目是海内外华人耳熟能详的《静夜思》（唐代诗人李白词，朱临湘曲，金秋演唱，田佳奕钢琴伴奏）。这是朱临湘为她的中文学生谱曲的。“床前明月光，疑是地上霜……”在她的笔下除了望月思乡的情怀，还有外国学生学习中文的自信与快乐。
朱临湘曾专攻教育心理学，作为这一领域的同行，我从《静夜思》隽永的歌词和传唱它的乐曲中，感受到这首歌独特的魅力。当代西方炙手可热的“建构主义”学习理论(Constructivism)强调环境影响、知识结构和人的行动的结合，这在《静夜思》的词、曲和演唱中得到了比较完美的体现。歌如果只有词，就是诗歌亦或话语，而配上与其字面和内涵珠联璧合的乐曲，就对人的审美和情感产生一定的心理震撼与冲击。朱临湘为《静夜思》谱的曲以优美的旋律展开了一幅恬静月夜的画卷，演唱者（华裔二代和学中文的美国学生）不仅学习歌曲俊美的语言，感受其深邃的意境，还可以随着层次分明的乐段边歌边舞，表达会唱这首歌的自豪与喜悦。
男高音歌唱家宋扬先生作即兴点评。他对朱临湘作为一位业余音乐人，勇于在音乐创作的道路上不断努力表示赞赏，并为她如何进一步完善谱曲提出了专业、具体的指导，如演唱速度的把握和结尾音处理的原则等。华语歌曲创作方兴未艾，朱临湘勇开先河的精神难能可贵——她不仅唱歌欣赏音乐，还倾情写歌，用音乐语言讲述海外华人的故事，抒发他们的所思所想，还有他们对未来的憧憬和希望。
朱临湘从中学时代开始歌曲创作，有作品40余首，可分为四个类型：一是为古典诗词谱曲的艺术歌曲，如《静夜思》《塞上曲》。二是为徐志摩和林徽因的诗谱曲的艺术歌曲，如《再别康桥》《雪花的快乐》。三是为其他作者包括朋友所作诗词谱曲，如《我有一个梦想》《我路过一片花海》。四是以基督教圣经诗篇和经文为歌词谱曲，最近十年这类作品较多，如《有福的人》《婚宴赞歌》，她希望用中国民歌的艺术形式，来演绎圣经诗篇。她自己作词作曲的至今有三首：《在光里相遇》《生如夏花》和《阿爸父》。她说她偶尔也写童谣，最近的新作有《在晨光里》和《宁静》。
从朱临湘创作的歌词和谱曲中可以看出，她具有很好的文学基础和与生俱来的音乐天赋，加上教育心理学理论和实践的支持，使得她作品的风格与个性已初见端倪。作为一个虔诚的基督教徒，她用这样的词语来介绍自己写歌的心路历程：“爱，体验，希望。”此次音乐会还推出了朱临湘近年来的其他作品：《生如夏花》（朱临湘词曲，王美玉演唱）,《在晨光里》(ChatGPT生成歌词，朱临湘曲，朱临湘演唱)，和《我有一个梦想》（万粒词，朱临湘曲，田栗丰演唱）。这些作品连同开场曲《静夜思》，都获得了观众热烈的欢迎。
歌唱家王美玉用甜美的女高音深情演唱《生如夏花》：“春天的雨，松软了泥土，和泥土里姹紫嫣红的梦。夏天的风，吹开了霓虹，和霓虹下绚烂无忧的笑容……”这是朱临湘写给她母亲的歌，歌声送去她对妈妈的思念。从歌词看，朱临湘熟练地运用了文学修辞的手法和丰富的词汇，以景抒情，极具画面感。王美玉评价这首歌深情动人，旋律也很优美。思念故乡，思念亲人，企盼明天会更好，是朱临湘歌曲的主题，也是海外华人共同的心声。朱临湘创作的激情源于她对歌的喜爱，她喜欢唱歌。王美玉说她的演唱很抒情，是用心在唱，就像在讲述一个故事。
王美玉教授来自中国云南艺术学院，被誉为彝族歌后，从北卡专程前来。音乐会隆重推出了王美玉作词作曲的《天上的月琴》和《哈尼迎宾曲》，她为大家激情演唱。此外，还有专业音乐人田栗丰的作品《万物有定期》（田栗丰词曲，牧田诗歌演唱）和《最美的家乡》（Fanny Crosby词，邹晶/田栗丰译，田栗丰曲，牧田诗歌演唱）。这些歌曲蕴含着中华文化的传统，有的描写民族风情，有的融入了基督教文化，以华语和西乐相结合的形式抒发海外华人的情感，是中华文化传承的艺术形式，也是多元文化交织融合的典范。音乐会的特邀嘉宾还有来自朱临湘所在学校的年度优秀教师，一位学中文的非裔学生登台演唱她自己写的中文歌，展示了这种文化交融的效果和魅力。
音乐创作，尤其是作曲，不是一件容易的工作。有人说音乐是作曲家“无中生有”的产物，就像在一个空灵的屋子里，硬是要它播放出一段有一定格式并动人心弦的音响。一段优美旋律的产生，是作者思维与想象的喷涌，也是语言的升华和情感的自然流露。这个过程太神奇、也太难，虽然我也爱好音乐，但从来不敢贸然去尝试写歌。我钦佩朱临湘的执着。她的创作日积月累，终于，她的歌有越来越多的人喜欢，由她所在的学区和教会搬上了舞台，并在这次音乐会上得到专业艺术家们的认可和好评。
专业科班音乐人有音乐院校严格的训练和培养，业余音乐人的成长除了自身的天赋和努力，离不开专业教师的指导和许多人的帮助。朱临湘虚心好学，为人谦逊。她不仅有一个支持她的强大的团队，还先后师从华东师范大学声乐教授朱文英和知名男中音于世勇。音乐会的演出嘉宾和特邀嘉宾，除了艺术家、学区领导和同事、竖琴诗班、桃树城杨柳亭舞蹈队、ChatGPT华语歌谣，还有亚特兰大华人写作协会和乔治亚州中文教师协会的负责人。音乐会上，歌唱家宋扬和王美玉的现场专业点评，对朱临湘的音乐创作给予了极大的鼓舞。对于两位歌唱家的指导，朱临湘在微信群里留言：“爱业、敬业、专业！从各位老师的身上，我领悟到了成为一个专业人士的秘诀！”
一凡为此次音乐会营造了温馨优雅的环境，设计了精美的广告图片和节目单，并为来宾们准备了可口的美食。音乐会结束，一凡和音乐会筹备群里气氛热烈,大家异口同声：祝贺音乐会圆满成功！
我期待朱临湘写出更多更美的歌曲，期待亚特兰大地区华语歌曲创作更加繁荣！
亚特兰大华语原创歌曲音乐会
总导演：王晓衡，艺术指导：宋扬，总策划：朱临湘
筹备组：野樱、吉斯、一夫、张书华、王凡、Emma Yu、郑滨耀
音响：王晓衡，摄影：一夫、王晓衡
一凡网页：www.yifancooking.com
Cultural Integration in Music and the Growth of a Musician:
A Commentary on Zhu Linxiang’s Original Songs
by Binyao Zheng
Her name reminds her that her hometown is far away. She grew up in a musical family in Zhangjiajie,Hunan Province,China.She was influenced by the music culture of the Bai and Tujia people in Sangzhi since she was a child.She began to try to compose art songs in the1990s. Later,in the United States,she took a doctorate in educational psychology and engaged in Chinese teaching,but she couldn't let go of the music dream that had already been rooted in her heart. She combines song writing and Chinese teaching,encouraging and guiding her American students to sing Chinese songs and write Chinese lyrics. She is Zhu Linxiang,a teacher of Chinese of Clayton County Schools,Georgia and a Chinese songwriter who is emerging in the Atlanta area and is entering the attention of music lovers.
Last fall,the well-known Atlanta catering culture salon"Yifan"held a series of cultural and artistic activities. Soon,Yifan received a call from Zhu Linxiang,saying that inspired by the events,he also wanted to hold a personal concert there. As a invited writer of Yifan’s Cultural events,I am very happy to hear this news. It was later learned that the concert in this conception was not an ordinary solo concert,but a concert of original works! In addition to my joy,I am worried:Are there any professional musicians who are willing to sing and perform these works? What will be the effect?
On the afternoon of April15,2023,under the shade of the trees,Yifan was beautiful in spring,and the orchids were fragrant."The Most Beautiful April Day in the World--Atlanta Chinese Original Song Concert"was grandly held there. Opening the list of performers,in addition to Zhu Linxiang,there are also professional musicians–well-known soprano of the Yi nationality Wang Meiyu,coloratura soprano Tian Lifeng,and soprano Jin Qiu;they are accompanied by professional pianist Dr.Gabria and young keyboardist Tian Jiayi. Famous tenor singer Song Yang served as the artistic director,and Ye Ying,the former host of Jiangsu Kunshan TV Station,and Ji Si,a Chinese teacher,co-hosted the show. Seeing the support of these artists,both known and unknown,put my doubts to rest.
Zhu Linxiang brought us many surprises. The opening repertoire of the concert is"Homesick in Bright Moonlight"(citrated by Li Bai,a poet of the Tang Dynasty,composed by Zhu Linxiang,sung by Jinqiu,accompanied by Tian Jiayi's piano),which is familiar to Chinese at home and abroad and many Chinese learners in the world. This was composed by Zhu Linxiang for her Chinese students. "There is moonlight in front of the bed,but it is probably frost on the ground..."In her music,besides the nostalgia of watching the moon and homesickness,there is also the confidence and joy of foreign students learning the beautiful poem.
Zhu Linxiang once specialized in educational psychology.As a colleague in this field,I feel the unique charm of"Homesick in Bright Moonlight"from the meaningful lyrics and the music that is sung about it. The"Constructivism"learning theory,which is popular in the contemporary West,emphasizes the combination of environmental influence,knowledge structure and the learner’s action,which is perfectly reflected in the lyrics,music and singing of this song. If a song has only words,it is poetry or discourse,and when it is matched with music that perfectly matches its literal meaning and connotation,it will have a certain psychological shock and impact on people's aesthetics and emotions. The song composed by Zhu Linxiang for unfolds a picture of a quiet moonlit night with beautiful melodies.The singers(the second generation of Chinese in America and American students who learn Chinese)not only learn the beautiful language of the song,feel its profound artistic conception,but also Sing and dance to the layered passages,expressing the pride and joy of being able to sing this beautiful song.
Tenor singer Mr.Song Yang made an impromptu commentary. He appreciated Zhu Linxiang's continuous efforts on the road of music creation as an amateur musician,and gave her professional and specific guidance on how to further improve the composition,such as the grasp of singing speed and the principles of ending sound processing,etc. . The creation of Chinese songs is in the ascendant,and Zhu Linxiang’s pioneering spirit is commendable—she not only sings and appreciates music,but also writes songs with love,telling stories of overseas Chinese in musical language,expressing their thoughts,as well as their vision and hope for the future.
Zhu Linxiang began to compose songs in middle school.He has more than40works,which can be divided into four types:one is art songs composed for classical poems,such as"Homesick in Bright Moonlight"and"Song on the Frontier". The second is the art songs composed for the poems of Xu Zhimo and Lin Huiyin,such as"Farewell to Cambridge"and"Snowflake's Happiness". The third is to compose poems written by other authors including friends,such as"I Have a Dream"and"I Passed a Sea of Flowers". The fourth is works with Christian Bible verses and scriptures as lyrics,such as"Blessed One"and"Wedding Hymn",mostly composed in the recent10years.She tried to use the art form of Chinese folk songs to interpret Bible verses.So far,she has written and composed three songs by herself:"Encounter in the Light","Life Like Summer Flowers"and"Abba Father". She said that she occasionally writes nursery rhymes,and her latest works include"In the Morning Light"and"Serenity".
From the lyrics and music composed by Zhu Linxiang,it can be seen that she has a good literary foundation and innate musical talent,coupled with the support of educational psychology theory and practice,the style and personality of her works have been seen for the first time. As a devout Christian,she uses these words to introduce her mental journey of writing songs:"love,experience,hope."This concert also launched other works of Zhu Linxiang written in recent years:"Life is like a summer flower"( Zhu Linxiang lyrics and music,Wang Meiyu singing),"In the Morning Light"(ChatGPT generated lyrics,Zhu Linxiang song,Zhu Linxiang singing),and"I Have a Dream"(Wanli lyrics,Zhu Linxiang song,Tian Lifeng singing). These works,together with the opening song"Homesick in Bright Moonlight",were warmly welcomed by the audience.
Singer Wang Meiyu sang"Life Like Summer Flowers"with sweet soprano:"The rain in spring softens the soil,and the colorful dreams in the soil.The summer wind blows away the neon lights,and the neon lights are gorgeous and worry-free…..."This is a song written by Zhu Linxiang to her mother,and the song sends her longing for her mother. Judging from the lyrics,Zhu Linxiang skillfully used literary rhetorical techniques and rich vocabulary to express emotions with scenes,which has a great sense of picture. Wang Meiyu commented that this song is affectionate and has a beautiful melody. Missing the hometown,missing the loved ones,and hoping for a better tomorrow are the themes of Zhu Linxiang's songs and the common aspirations of overseas Chinese. Zhu Linxiang's passion for creation stems from her love for songs,and she likes to sing. Wang Meiyu commented that Zhu’s singing is very lyrical,she sings with heart,like telling a story.
Wang Meiyu is a Professor of Music from China's Yunnan Arts Institute and is known as the Queen of Singsing of the Yi Nationality.She made a special trip from North Carolina to Atlanta to support this concert. The concert grandly launched"Yueqin(moon violine)in the Sky"and"Hani(a minority nationality in China)Welcome Song"written and composed by Wang Meiyu,and she sang passionately for the audience. In addition,there are works by professional musician Tian Lifeng,"Everything has a period"(Tian Lifeng's lyrics and music,Makita poetry singing)and"The Most Beautiful Hometown"(Fanny Crosby lyrics,Zou Jing/Tian Lifeng translation,Tian Lifeng music,Makita poetry singing) ). These songs bring the tradition of Chinese culture,some describe ethnic customs,some incorporate Christian culture,and express the emotions of overseas Chinese in the form of a combination of Chinese and Western music models. The special guests of the concert included the Teacher of the Year from Zhu Linxiang's school,and an African-American student learning Chinese who sang a Chinese song written by herself on stage,demonstrating the effect and charm of this cultural blend.
Music creation,especially composition,is not an easy job. It is said that music is the product of the composer's"creation out of nothing",just like in an ethereal room,it is forced to play a sound with a certain format that is supposed to touch people's hearts. The production of a beautiful melody is the gushing of the author's thinking and imagination,as well as the sublimation of language and the natural expression of emotion. This process is amazing and difficult.Although I also love music,I never dare to try to write songs rashly. I admire Zhu Linxiang's persistence. Her creations have accumulated over time,and finally,her songs have been liked by more and more people.Her school district and church put them on the stage,and they were recognized and praised by professional artists at this concert.
Professional musicians have strict training from music institutions.The growth of amateur musicians is inseparable from the guidance of professional teachers and the help of many people in addition to their own talent and hard work. Zhu Linxiang is open-minded,studious and humble. Not only does she have a strong team to support her,but she has also studied under the vocal music professor Zhu Wenying of East China Normal University and the well-known baritone Yu Shiyong. Performers for the concert included artists,harp choir,Peachtree City Yangliu Pavilion dance team,ChatGPT Chinese songs,and Zhu Linxiang’s colleague and student.Special guests included school district administrators and teachers,and leaders of the Atlanta Chinese Writing Association and the Georgia Chinese Teachers Association. At the concert,the on-site professional comments of singers Song Yang and Wang Meiyu greatly encouraged Zhu Linxiang's music creation. Regarding the guidance of the two singers,Zhu Linxiang left a message in the WeChat group:"Love,dedication,and professionalism!From the teachers,I have learned the secret of becoming a professional!"
I look forward to Zhu Linxiang’s more and more beautiful songs.I also look forward to more prosperity in the creation of Chinese songs in Atlanta area,not only for the Chinese music lovers but for the entire community who appreciate diverse cultures!
(Binyao Zheng is Professor of Educational Psychology and Research,Kennesaw State University)
