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"Poem for Flute Solo" by Chi-jen Chang is a work for solo Chinese flute which includes two movements, completed in New York (1980), and was commissioned by the Chinese flute player Shao-hen Lai, sojourning in the USA. Performers should use "circular breathing" to play this piece, which means to play it with "only one breath" from the beginning to the end. Afterward because it is beloved by many flute players, Chang rearranged this piece for flute solo.
Inspired by a bamboo flute piece "Zhe Gu Fei," Chang's "Poem for Flute Solo" is typical in its influence from Chinese traditional musical styles. The first movement is ametric. With the indication of Freely, espressivo, it can be considered a long cadenza. Its subtitle reads "Here birds are alive with mountain-light, and the mind of man is touched by peace of a lake." The second movement is a rondo form with the tempo Presto. It starts with a mechanical 6/8 tempo and has some tempo variations in the middle section. Its subtitle reads "Only the sound of the flute is endless, flying through the sky over the river."
"Poem for Flute Solo" was elected as the assigned piece for the ninth "Classical Chinese Instrument Competition" held by Taipei Chinese Orchestra, and is embodied in the album "Contemporary Flute Works by Taiwan Composers", represented in both Chinese flute and flute versions.