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Ilha Formosa: Requiem for Formosa's Martyrs (also Ilha Formosa Requiem or Formosa Requiem) (2001) is a composition for solo soprano, solo baritone, chorus and orchestra composed by Taiwanese composer Tyzen Hsiao (1938-2015). The composition is based on a 1994 poem in Taiwanese Hokkien by Min-Yung Lee.
Contents
Description
Ilha Formosa ("Beautiful Island") is the name given to the island on the maps made by Portuguese mariners in the Age of Discovery. The heart of the piece is the second movement in which the male and female soloists, in lyrical phrases, remember those who suffered in the White Terror and throughout Taiwan's history. In the andante first movement, the island's most ancient voices offer their wisdom and admonish newcomers to give themselves completely to their new home. The third movement, in march tempo, encourages survivors of suffering to rise above their pain. The finale envisions an island that fulfills everything contained in the name Formosa.
Texts
1. If You Ask
If you ask about the island's father,
I will tell you the sky is Taiwan's father.
If you ask about the island's mother,
I will tell you the sea is Taiwan's mother.
If you ask about the island's past,
I will tell you blood and tears have dropped onto Taiwan's feet.
If you ask about the island's future,
I will tell you to step out. The path opens before us.
2. Memory and Perception
For every victim we chisel a name into marble.
For every victim we weave flowers into a wreath.
For every victim we pen an ode.
For every victim we sing a hymn.
3. Onward
Do not surrender to convulsions of self-pity.
Do not poison yourself with recriminations.
Lift your hands to the azure sky.
Set forth upon the shining road.
4. This Beautiful Country
This beautiful country is our everlasting love.
This beautiful country is our heart's treasure.
And this humble tapestry of dreams just sketches our hope
for this beautiful country: a green peace.
Min-yung Lee (Translation: Alton Thompson)