A Journey of the Eastern Imagination on the Harp: An Analysis of Alexina Louie’s From the Eastern Gate

Abstract

From the Eastern Gate is the sole work for solo harp by Chinese Canadian composer Alexina Louie. The purpose of my research is to provide several perspectives about Alexina Louie’s From the Eastern Gate to help future performers understand the work. To help readers get an overview of the composer Alexina Louie and the premier harpist Erica Goodman, this document will introduce brief biographies of them in Chapter I. Then, the compositional background of this work will be discussed in Chapter II. Considering the great Asian influence in Louie’s work, performance of the work can be informed by an understanding of the Chinese traditional instrument, guqin; forms of Japanese poetry, haiku and waka; a traditional form of Chinese literati painting called wenrenhua; and the philosophy of yin and yang in Chapter III. Chapters IV and V provide an original analysis of the solo work as well as performance and interpretive suggestions based on my research with Erica Goodman and the composer.