Albert William Ketèlbey

In A Chinese Temple-Garden

A few flavoursome introductory bars carry the listener off to a temple garden in Manchuria in North-eastern China. Mysterious incantations of the priests in the temple and the scent of incense set the scene, while the melody tells of two lovers. A Manchurian wedding procession passes by outside. In the street the coolies are becoming restless. Within the temple, all is calm. Again we hear the incantations of the priest before the lovers' theme is heard in birdsong, with short quotes from the temple theme and coolie theme to end the piece. Vocal score available separately: 1883-12-050 MS