Awards shine light on music industry changes

The 10th China Gold Record Awards have been launched in Beijing to honor artists in 20 categories, including Chinese folk music, traditional Chinese operas, instrumental music, pop music and music recording.

China's highest music industry awards, they were introduced in 1989 by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and organized by China Record Corporation, the oldest and largest record company in China, which was founded in May 1949.

The ceremony of the Tenth China Gold Record Awards will be held in Kunming, Yunnan province, at the end of the year.

Besides the final ceremony, forums and retrospective photo exhibitions covering China's 100-year recording history will be held in Kunming to showcase the legacy of the China Gold Record Awards and the country's music industry.

"The awards have witnessed the changes and development of China's music industry, from the boom during the 1990s to the dramatic changes brought by the internet," says Xu Peidong, a veteran composer and the vice-president of Chinese Musicians' Association. "The China Gold Record Awards are more than music awards; they indicate the current trends in the music industry."

They recognize not just established musicians but also promote new talent, he adds.

Since they were launched, more than 700 Chinese musicians from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan have won a China Gold Record Award, including pop singer-songwriter Liu Huan, Chinese tenor Li Shuangjiang and Chinese pianist and educator Liu Shikun.

Xu, 63, won an award for the Best Instrumental Composition in the second China Gold Record Awards in 1992.

Chinese pianist and educator Bao Huiqiao, now 77, also received a special instrumentalist award in 1992.

"I regard the award as a landmark in my career. Before I was given the award, I experienced the darkest days in my life. I broke my right hand and I thought I would never play piano again. The award gave me a big encouragement and I am grateful," says the pianist in Beijing.

The pianist has been credited with popularizing piano education having taught more than 1,000 children. But she still holds recitals, which focus on promoting pieces for piano written by Chinese composers.

According to the committee of the China Gold Record Awards, efforts have been made to award the artists of traditional Chinese operas since the awards were launched.

Peking Opera masters, including Mei Lanfang, Ma Lianliang and Cheng Yanqiu, have won awards.

"The decline of traditional Chinese operas is apparent. But despite of the struggles, we keep the ancient art form alive and the award is a big recognition for us," says Peking Opera singer, Li Weikang, 70, who won an award in 1989.