I had already written a couple of melodies for the erhu (a 2-stringed violin), and when I met a gu zheng mistress (a gu zheng is a kind of Chinese koto) and was given a demonstration of that instrument, my imagination was fired. The result was this extended set of variations depicting my initial bewilderment with this busy place, and growing sense of the industry and ambition of the Chinese people. They are already through sheer numbers, a major force in the modern world, and if they ever get themselves organized and unified (a big if), they will be the next superpower indeed. I worry however that they are adopting some of the worst habits of the West, such as smoking and the acquisitive lifestyle with all its pressures, and my Variations include a Prayer for the People, and sections entitled The Energy of the People and Blending of Cultures, among others.

    It was given its premiere performance in Canada in early 2005. Chinese performers in China have looked at it and find it a little odd, I think, especially those who are very traditional. It is a blend of East and West, and I did not try to be a Chinese composer - I lack the background.