Bang on a Can

Panda Chant I, Memory Song, and Panda Chant II are selections from The Games (1984). The Games: a science fiction opera by Meredith Monk and Ping Chong was originally created for the Schaubühne Ensemble of West Berlin. Meredith composed the music and collaborated with Ping on the scenario and choreography. Ping wrote the text. Set on an imaginary planet, The Games takes place in a post-nuclear future where survivors and their descendants are involved in the repetition of ritual games reenacting Earth's culture to preserve the shards of civilization. The Games won the National Music Theatre Award in 1986.