Asian American Life

[yuiyoshida]

[panfluteman]

1. Aahh Yes - The Butterfly Lovers!

AKA The Chinese Violin Concerto - based on the legend of the Butterfly Lovers - the Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet. That was the soundtrack for this video that you heard in the background. I was first exposed to this beautiful piece of music in Seattle, Washington, when we used to practice Tai Chi to this piece. It was so beautiful, and so sentimental, it brought tears to my eyes. I played it on the Pan Flute and recorded a version of it on my first Pan Flute album. The legend of the Butterfly Lovers follows the basic story line of Romeo and Juliet, except in the end, after the lovers commit suicide, they change into butterflies and live happily ever after - kind of an allusion to reincarnation, or the immortality of the soul, I suppose. Just writing about it is bringing tears to my eyes!