Porcelain gets an instrumental role in a national orchestra

The fame of China's porcelain capital Jingdezhen, a city in Jiangxi province, has drawn tourists and artists from all over the country and the world, who have added their creative touch to the old city, where ancient porcelain production stretches back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).

About two years ago, musicians of the China National Traditional Orchestra traveled to the city, hoping to get inspired by the Jingdezhen porcelain music instruments, a unique category of musical instruments crafted from porcelain.

These instruments blend the traditional art of porcelain making with musical functionality and cover different categories of instruments, such as chimes, drum, erhu (Chinese fiddle), and flutes.

On Sept 6, the China National Traditional Orchestra signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Jingdezhen government in Beijing, aiming at fostering in-depth collaboration in performances, music creation, musician training and collaborative programs.

"We traveled to Jingdezhen many times to do research on those porcelain music instruments, which are very beautiful," says Zhao Cong, a veteran pipa (four-stringed Chinese lute) player, who is the president of the China National Traditional Orchestra. "We were impressed by the city. The once old city has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from an old landmark to a vibrant place brimming with youthful energy, especially young entrepreneurs, artists and tourists.

"The rich heritage of porcelain making, the architectural charm and the porcelain musical instruments — all become our inspiration," she adds.

Zhao also says that the orchestra explored over 20 research sites in Jingdezhen to study the tonal qualities and production techniques of porcelain instruments, as well as the history of Jingdezhen's porcelain-making.

This new partnership will bring an innovative approach to blending traditional culture with modern music elements. The orchestra aims to explore and expand the integration boundaries of traditional music in contemporary scene, drawing inspiration from the porcelain to unlock new possibilities for musical expression, Zhao says.

"These instruments are valued not only for their musical properties but also for their artistic craftsmanship. They represent a fusion of Jingdezhen's porcelain artistry with traditional Chinese musical instruments," says Cui Suxiang, deputy mayor of Jingdezhen, in Beijing on Sept 6. "The porcelain material contributes to a unique tonal quality, often characterized by a clear, resonant, and sometimes delicate sound that is distinct from wooden or metal instruments."

Cui says that Jingdezhen boasts a rich history spanning more than 2,000 years of pottery-making, 1,000 years of official kiln history, and 600 years of imperial kiln heritage. Known globally for qualities that show they are "white as jade, bright as a mirror, thin as paper, and resonant as a chime", Jingdezhen's porcelain musical instruments are not so well documented but hold significant artistic and cultural value.

Jingdezhen porcelain instruments reflect the city's historical and cultural heritage, symbolizing a blend of artistic excellence and musical tradition. They are often used in performances to highlight this unique aspect of Chinese culture, Cui notes.

The collaboration will also have musicians from the China National Traditional Orchestra to work with local musicians, including the Jingdezhen Singing and Dancing Troupe, which has been known for producing and developing musical instruments made of porcelain since 1985.

Jingdezhen's porcelain ensembles, which perform daily for tourists, will participate in the performances with the China National Traditional Orchestra, allowing more audiences to enjoy the beauty of porcelain music, according to Cui. Additionally, the orchestra will create and arrange porcelain music programs by working with local musicians.