Canadian composer Vincent Ho (b. 1975) looked at the music his children were learning and found very little that would support their Asian ancestry. Asian-themed pieces were rare and often involved stereotypes when written from a non-Asian background.
His first book, The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, written in 2021, creates a world of the zodiac animals for student players. For each animal, Dr Ho researched its legends, personality traits, and cultural significance. For example, the Rabbit was characterised as ‘gentle, compassionate, and lucky’ with a physical language that encompassed ‘swift hopping/jumping motions’. From his years of involvement with Chinese traditional instruments, he added sounds, harmonies, and performance techniques.
His image of the 12 Zodiac animals captures them in their childhood, not yet grown into their full power (just like his piano students). We’ve used drawings created by Canadian artist Lilith Ohan in the Japanese Sumi-e style to show our various animals.
Vincent Ho
He opens with Mischievous Mouse, a smaller take on the usual rat character. It’s quick and running, cautious yet full of desire to get somewhere else.
Lilith Ohan: Mouse
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – I. Mischievous Mouse (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The Little Ox is trying to figure out how to get up and use his strength. His steadfastness comes to the fore.
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – II. Little Ox (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The tiger cubs roll and fake fight, learning how to jump and move, and delighting in their power of movement.
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – III. Dance of the Tiger Cubs (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
Dancing in the spring meadow, the little bunny pauses occasionally for a nibble at the grass.
Lilith Ohan: Sumi-e Bunny
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – IV. Prancing Bunny (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The ancient symbol of the Emperor himself, the little dragon, flows into our vision. He flies in and out of our vision, gathering his view of the world and his place in it.
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – V. Little Dragon (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The little snakes slip and slide over each other as they seek the warmth of the sun.
Lilith Ohan: Snake Sumi-e for the Year of the Snake
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – VI. Playful Snakelets (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The little foal is always seeking freedom. They are always positive and energetic.
Lilith Ohan: Light Gallop
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – VII. The Happy Foal (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The lamb (or goat) is the symbol of a kind and pure heart, using soft power to achieve their goals by persuading others of their vision.
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – VIII. Sleepy Lamb (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The monkey is associated with long life, energy, and curiosity. By choosing to focus on their imitative qualities, one follows the other.
Lilith Ohan: Monkey Business
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – IX. Monkey See, Monkey Do (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The Rooster is the empathetic animal – they can sense what others are thinking and feeling and use their foresight for careful planning. This rooster dances around the barnyard, checking on the hens and imitating their pecking.
Lilith Ohan: Rooster
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – X. The Dancing Cockerel (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The dog, here exemplified by a puppy, wanders around, investigating his new world.
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – XI. The Wandering Puppy (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
The cute little piglet can’t decide if he should nap or eat. He leisurely makes his way through the day, always facing this decision.
Vincent Ho: The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Book 1 – XII. Gentle Piglet (Tony Yike Yang, piano)
In his musical pictures of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, Ho has chosen unusual ways of depicting them. By showing them as children, he makes their innate playfulness come to the fore.
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