Original Anthem: The March of the Volunteers
Country: China
Style: Calypso/Africa
The melody of “Twinkle Red Star” is derived from material used in the opening phrases of “The March of the Volunteers”.
The original lyric of “The March of the Volunteers” from 1934 by Tian Han refers to various volunteer armies raised against the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in the 1930s, and was intended to be used in a film: “Children of the Troubled Times”.
The lyric was set to music in 1935 by composer Nie Er, and orchestrated with the assistance of the Russian composer Aaron Avshalomov. After recording, and used as advertising for the film, its popularity developed rapidly. At the time, the official national anthem was the “Internationale”, but by the late 1940s, “The March of the Volunteers” was officially adopted.
Although “Twinkle Red Star”is derived from its opening phrases, and it rhythmically mimics the use of triplets and syncopation, the harmonic progression of much of the rest of the “twinkle” sequence makes extensive use of secondary dominants not present in the original. This combination rhythmic pattern and harmonic sequence, however, strangely lends itself well to a calypso feel, making a China-Africa link.
Instrumentation
Alto sax: Charlie Hearnshaw
Piano: Chris Lee
Electric guitar: Stuart Thom
Electric bass: Neil Todd
Drums & bell: Tony Plato
