Note: This event took place on Friday, Oct. 16.
In her composition Tunnels of Moose Jaw, Laura Pettigrew musically tells the story of the experience of Chinese immigrants to Canada during the Head Tax years.
“I wanted to paint a musical picture of what happened,” said Pettigrew, a Regina composer.
“The first movement is very peaceful, as if you were enjoying life in China. The second movement begins, and it is very foreboding. I’m portraying anger, reflecting on what Chinese immigrants went through.
“Here they are, working dangerous railway jobs, many of them will never see their families again, and on top of that, they need to pay an expensive Head Tax.”
The world premiere of Tunnels of Moose Jaw was on Oct. 16 at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre.
The piece will be played by 13 members of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra’s Chamber Players, and two musicians playing the erhu (also known as the Chinese violin), and Chinese and Korean flutes.
Pettigrew was inspired to compose the work after visiting the Tunnels of Moose Jaw attraction several years ago and hearing the story of Chinese immigrants to Canada in the Passage to Fortune tour.
