When the past strikes a chord

The konghou was a popular orchestral and solo instrument until the 14th century. It lost traction thereafter.

It wasn't until the 1980s that Chinese musicologists and musicians began reviving the ancient instrument by producing its contemporary models. In 1996, two relics of vertical konghou were excavated in Qiemo county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. These turned out to be more than 2,700 years old.

That year, Liang, then 21, became the music teacher of a middle school in Qiemo, where she was born and raised. "I saw photographs of the excavation and was very excited. I dreamed of actually seeing a konghou being played one day," recalls Liang, now 47.

Finally, in 2015, her wish was granted when Beijing-based konghou player Lu Lu came to perform in Qiemo county. "Playing the konghou involves movements like pressing, kneading and sliding, which produce very soothing, deep sounds. I instantly fell in love with it," Liang says.

Between 2016 and 2017, Liang frequently traveled to Beijing to learn to play the konghou with Lu. The arduous travel from her hometown notwithstanding, she felt happy and content.

Backed by the Qiemo administration, Liang soon began offering free konghou lessons to the local children during summer and winter holidays.

Yuan Xi, one of Liang's first trainees, is now studying at Neijiang Normal University of Sichuan province with a major of music education.

In 2019, Liang was even commissioned to coach music teachers of Qiemo. Every year since, a konghou competition is held in the county to promote the instrument.