Nu-Shu: The Secret Songs of Women
Dramatic Symphony for Solo Harp, Orchestra and 12 Short Music Films
By Tan Dun

World Premiere Recording, 2020-2021 Season!
With The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Tan Dun has preserved yet another musical tapestry of his culture by sharing an ancient women’s secret language through the voice of the harp. From a remote village in his Hunan home, Tan Dun bonded with the last remaining women who practice this secret code, nu shu –“ women’s writing” – the only gender-based written language to have been found in the world. Messages written in Nu-Shu along the folds of a secret fan or embroidered in cloth were the only means for a woman to communicate to her sisters. Through the feminine form of the harp this women’s secret society will be revealed.

“My hope is to use my instrument as a vehicle to empower women so that they might create their own fate, not to be bound by fate. We are unfortunately still living in a world where millions of women are victims to discrimination and violence. Tan’s ability to give an ancient civilization a current voice is remarkable.” – Elizabeth Hainen