The Ancient Chinese culture was a pioneering civilization reflected in its rich and profound traditions and customs. Its superior farming techniques, new inventions and ideas, spiritual and mystical history and the art of its literature all influenced future generations. Perhaps the most beautiful and lyrical contribution came from the influence of Ancient Chinese music composition on enthusiasts worldwide.
A unique story written by Zhang Kun in a July 2017 Wall Street Journal article, reflects upon the influence and impact of a Chinese ballad on a young American college student. While attending the University of Hawaii, Chris Molina had the opportunity to listen to a well-known Chinese ballad called Little-Cabbage. Its emotional message: moving from the country to the city, and to take on a new way of life. This inspiring composition cultivated Molina’s interest in Chinese music and insight into Chinese culture. Energized by the journeys of these young travelers, Molina created his own composition entitled Little Girl in the Big City for Dizi (the Chinese flute) and orchestra. Reflected in stories he had heard about China, Molina’s piece is both “sad and uplifting” embracing the fleeting and moving sounds of the city.
To enrich his passion for this unique form of intellect, Molina and a group of fellow musicians from the Shanghai Conservatory, Poland, England and New Zealand all sharing the common desire of Chinese music, joined together to write and perform their adaptations of Ancient Chinese music. Inspired by Ye Guohui, award-winning composer and Shanghai Conservatory dean, the Hearing China Project was launched in 2015. It provides “an international platform for composers to understand traditional Chinese music, culture, and to create and perform innovative works.”
Ye wrote his own piece of traditional Chinese music based on a story by Wang Xishi called 兰亭集序 representing a literati gathering during the fourth century. Wang’s story was particularly unique, in part due to the many customs and spiritual traditions that poets, artists and authors followed. When performing the piece in concert, Ye often engaged the audiences to join in the spiritual actions of the Ancient Chinese masters. According to Ye, “concerts and performances like these are great devices to tell a story to an international audience and let them participate in the creative experience.” It truly provides a universal conversation and musical dialogue with Chinese music enthusiasts from nations all over the world. Perhaps best described by Ye as a “window of cultural exchanges.”
Some of the information in this article came from the following source:
Kun, Zhang. “Young Composers’ Chance for Insight into Chinese Culture.” The Wall Street Journal [New York], 27 July 2017, Life sec., p. B6D.