Music Talks

In this edition, we get up-close with Shang Jingya, a guzheng performer and composer with the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre, about her innovative way of blending her style of music into Peking opera.

Recently, Shang held her major concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, the country’s top theater.

Our host Tony Reid spoke with her to learn more about her motivation, challenges and expectations for this inventive crossover, as well as some of her musical works presented at the concert.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest, the Chinese New Year holiday comes to its climax with the Lantern Festival. This year, the festival falls on February 26th.

So how is this day celebrated and what does this day have to do with lanterns? All in today's Music Talks. Let’s take this time to check out some tunes themed on this special time of the year.

Previously, we have introduced the konghou, which resembles the harp in appearance and tonality. Many say its sound is melodic, elegant and heavenly.

In this episode, our host Tony Reid talked with He Xie, a young and talented konghou instrumentalist and composer.

We will give you some insight into the latest model of the instrument, referred as the double-strung pedal konghou, which is widely played on stage in Chinese ensembles. In addition, we will share with you a lot of fun and inspiring stories behind Mr He’s compositions.

The Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the largest festival in China, which celebrates the coming of a new year. A lot of traditional customs prevail during the holiday to boost the festive atmosphere and to wish everyone the best of luck.

On this special edition, we invited seven renowned instrumentalists and composers on our show to share with us the unique customs carried out during this period of time and to spread festive vibes by introducing notable songs that reflect those conventions.

Mr Huang Tianxin(黄天信) is a composer and singer, and Mrs Deng Kun-Rong(邓堃蓉), a lyricist. In recent years, they have become famous for writing and singing songs about their beloved hometown, Chengdu. Previously, we enjoyed some of their songs and had them talk about how they were inspired. Many of their songs, composed with the local musical elements, were even sung in the Sichuan dialect, giving their pieces distinction. Today, let's continue to learn more about this majestic place via their songs.

Song Lists:

1. BGM: Splendid Chengdu 锦绣成都

2. Dustless 无尘

3. Gazing at the Mountain 观山

4. Waiting for You on the Snowy Mountain 落雪千山等归人

5. The Sound of Bamboo 听竹

6. Yang Xiong Song 说扬雄

Today we have composer and singer Mr. Huang Tianxin(黄天信), and lyricist Mrs. Deng Kun-Rong(邓堃蓉). They have become popular in recent years for writing and singing songs about their beloved hometown, Chengdu. 
Many of their songs are sung in the Sichuan dialect, a very expressive and spicy form of Mandarin. "Though it’s not spoken as much by the younger generation, we always tell our students that we should preserve our culture and not forget our dialect." They say.



For those unfamiliar with Chengdu, it is the capital city of China's southwest Sichuan province. Entitled as the land of abundance, Chengdu has a history of 4,500 years of urban civilization. The world's first paper note, called Jiaozi, was created there. Chengdu is also well known for its embroidery, giant pandas, and the delicious Sichuan cuisine.

Song Lists:

1. BGM: A Chengdu Tune 成都曲

2. Splendid Chengdu 锦绣成都

3. A Chengdu Tune 成都曲

4. Singing of the Cotton Rose City 锦城芙蓉吟

5. Wuhou Song 武侯曲

6. Qingcheng Inhabitants 青城客

Mr Kong Hongwei is the leading and most prestigious jazz pianist and composer in China. Nicknamed as "Golden Buddha', Kong’s musical pieces, naturally combine Chinese folk elements with modern Jazz, vividly depicting everyday life. Previously, Mr. Kong spoke on his journey in music and we heard some representative songs selected from his most notable album “The Summer Palace", which unfolds his impression of Beijing. Today, let’s enjoy some pieces that beautifully portray nature via folk instruments and modern Jazz.

Previously, we’ve introduced health and wellness music by the famed erhu instrumentalist Liu Ziwei, which coincides with the core concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In this episode, I sat down with Ms Liu and talked about what difficulties and changes she had experienced over the past ten years.

Today we have Mr Kong Hongwei, the leading and most prestigious jazz pianist and composer in China. Nicknamed as "Golden Buddha', Kong’s musical pieces, naturally combine Chinese folk elements with modern Jazz, vividly depicting everyday life. For this episode, the songs we will hear were selected from his most notable album “The Summer Palace", which unfolds his impression of Beijing. 

Song Lists:

1. BGM: Beijing Waltz 京城的华尔兹

2. The Summer Palace 夏日皇宫

3. Walking Down the Liuyin Street 漫步柳荫街

4. Chill 纳凉儿

5. Sunset 日落西山

6. Western Region Rhapsody 西域狂想曲

Previously, we’ve introduced health and wellness music by the famed erhu instrumentalist Liu Ziwei.

Liu explained how her music is able to influence listeners’ health and why listening to certain songs at different periods of the day is beneficial at alleviating particular symptoms.

In this episode, we continue with Liu Ziwei as she sheds more light on the effects of listening to erhu music for health and some songs she recommends in that endeavor.