Tuning up a tradition

Performers of Rediscover Chinese Music meet young fans after the show in the United States.[Photo provided to China Daily]

The 10 pieces composed in different dynasties also reflect the evolution of Chinese history.

"The tunes are all familiar to Chinese audiences, but not many people nowadays know the stories behind the music," Wang says. "Actually most traditional Chinese music tells touching stories. If we perform abroad for people of other cultures, we should tell them the stories."

For example, High Mountain and Flowing Water performed on the guqin, a seven-stringed zither, is said to be the story of Yu Boya (413-354 BC), who played the guqin in the mountains. A woodcutter, Zhong Ziqi, heard the music and realized exactly what Yu wanted to express. Yu treasured Zhong's understanding so much that later, when he knew Zhong died, he broke his zither and never played the music again.

The pipa song Ambush from Ten Sides tells the story of Xiang Yu (232-202 BC), the king of Chu, who failed in the final battle against Liu Bang (256-195 BC), the king of Han. The depressed Xiang knew he had been surrounded by Han's army and had to kill his horse, his lover and finally himself.

Jiang rearranges the 10 works without diminishing their original appeal but makes them suitable for the storyline of the show.

In the show, the director let the orchestra members not only play their instruments but also perform the historical roles and narrate stories of their own connected to the music.

Feng Mantian, who plays the ruan, a four-stringed plucked instrument, plays music inspired by three poems by Tang poet Wang Wei (AD 701-761).

During the multimedia show featuring the desert scene described in the poem, Feng narrates the poems and his own story of learning the ruan.

"I can clearly feel the poet's sadness of saying farewell to his friends and going to the wilderness alone. I believe the audience could feel it, too," Feng says.

Describing the show, Wang says: "Let the old music tell new stories and let today's people see themselves through the music and stories. That's what I wanted to achieve－and we did it."

Rediscover Chinese Music will start a China tour with the first show at the National Center for the Performing Arts on Jan 4.

Contact the writer at chenjie@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

7:30 pm, Jan 4. National Center for the Performing Arts, west of Tian'anmen Square, Xicheng district, Beijing. 01066550000.