Music Talks

Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, Qing Ming is a traditional festival observed in China and some other Asian cultures as well, on which people traditionally visit ancestral tombs to sweep them, and to remember those who have passed away.

In this episode of Music Talks themed on Qing Ming, we mourn for those who passed away due to the coronavirus through music, especially paying our homage to the medical staff who lost their lives saving others during this pandemic. If you are suffering from a significant loss of your own, we hope to share in this tragedy with you, and so you may know that you’re not alone.

Song Lists:

1. BGM: Along the River During Qing Ming Festival, 清明上河图, composed by Liu Weiguang, konghou by Wu Lin

2. Three Variations of Yang Pass, 阳关, sheng by Wu Tong

3. Fire Ritual, 火祭, composed by Tan Dun, erhu by Jin Yue

4. A Standing Dead Horse, 站着死去的马, by He Xige

5. Farewell, 送别, by CNTO choir

6. Blessings of Life, 生命的祝福, by Li Bo

Nature is in bloom, blooming most recklessly as if it forgets the frigidness of winter. Yet, our world is now undergoing the crisis of the coronavirus. We are experiencing sorrow, pain and fear, which may have robbed some of us of our desire to enjoy nature or music. Although the winter is cruel and merciless, the spring blossoms return each year to showcase their beauty and resilience. May this episode of sounds of Spring, convey our prayers during this trying time and be a reminder of the greater power’s beauty beyond that of human beings and its ability to bring comfort and peace even in the midst of the storm.

Song Lists:

1. BGM: Spring by Wu Tong, 镜花水月•春（吴彤）

2. Spring by the Lake by CNTO, 湖边春色（中央民族乐团）

3. Spring Equinox: Spring Dawn by Lao Luo & Gong Linna, 春分•春晓（老锣、龚琳娜）

4. Wind-the Youth Patrolling the Mountain by Wu Lin, 风-巡山少年（吴琳）

5. Orchids of Spring by CNTO, 幽谷逢春（中央民族乐团）

6. The Beginning of Spring by Lao Luo & Gong Linna, 立春•立春偶成（老锣、龚琳娜）

In our previous episodes, you’ve been introduced to the guzheng, a Chinese zither with over 2500 years of history. Today, Ms Yuan Sha, guzheng instrumentalist and associate professor with the Central Conservatory of Music brings us a number of her musical pieces that distinctively reflect local cultures and flavours from south, southeast and central China.

Song lists:

1. Raindrops Splashing on Petals of Begonia 雨溅海棠花 2. Lotus Flower Emerging from Water 出水莲 3. Chen Xingyuan's Political Marriage 陈杏元和番 4. Fishing at Sunset 渔舟唱晚 5. Defeat Typhoon 战台风 6. BGM：Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake 平湖秋月

The year 2019 celebrates Ms Wei Yuru’s 40th anniversary working with the CNTO. As a celebrated instrumentalist of the ruan, Ms Wei is also the organization's first female leader. What is it like to orchestrate a team of over 100 musicians? What are the challenges and how does she deal with them? All in today’s MUSIC TALKS.

SONG LISTS：

1. Animachin Mountain 阿尼玛卿山

2. Endless Thoughts 悠悠情思

3. Impression Chinese Music 印象国乐

4. A Piece of Plum 一枝梅

5. Curtain Hanging Upside-Down 倒垂帘

6. BGM：Kanas Lake 喀纳斯湖

The 2nd episode on the Ruan, the eastern guitar. With Ms Wei Yuru of the CNTO, we’ll witness a ruan masterpiece, ‘In Remembrance of Yunnan’, which breathed new life into the ancient lute and gave it a brand new sound. In addition, we'll bring you closer to the Ruan master by hearing how Ms Wei embarked upon her musical journey and the secret behind her success.

Song Lists:

1. In Remembrance of Yunnan 云南回忆

2. BGM: Kanas Lake 喀纳斯湖

Most people may not be familiar with the instrument called the ruan. As a member of traditional Chinese plucked instruments, it surprisingly has a timbre similar to the guitar. Not only does it sound like the guitar, it also looks like one, with a circular body, four strings, and a neck attached with 24 frets.

In today’s episode, let us find more about this low-profile lute with Ms Wei Yuru, a celebrated ruan player with the China National Traditional Orchestra.

Song List:

舞者的诉说 Narration of Dancers

剑器 Sword Dance

孤芳自赏 Narcissism

In the last episode, we interviewed some musicians about how they’re coping during this anti-coronavirus period, their encouragements and the music that they would like to share with us. This week, we heard from two other instrumentalists extending their utmost respect to people who are serving at the front lines, and also their musical works that they’d like to inspire people who are listening to our program.

Song List:

1. Faith by He Xige

2. Red Plum by Jin Yue

3. BGM: Grassland by He Xige; Hero by Jin Yue

It’s been a hard opening of the year in China. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has changed a lot of things in just a short month. It’s fair to say, given the circumstance, that most of us tended to respond with fear, as not knowing what’s going to happen and when this threat will be over. Instead of remaining fearful, we can put more energy and effort into doing what we can, for example, reading to broaden our horizons, exercising to stay healthy, spending quality time with your loved ones, or enjoying music to soothe our minds.

Music Talks interviewed some of our guest musicians about how they’re coping during this period, their encouragements and the music that they would like to share with us.

Song Lists:

1. Wine madness, by Zhang Weijun & Sun Zheng

2. Pao Xiu Luo Lan, by Wu Lin

3. Troika, by Zhang Lu

4. BGM: guzheng by Zhang Lu

It’s been a hard opening of the year in China. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has changed a lot of things in just a short month. It’s fair to say, given the circumstance, that most of us tended to respond with fear, as not knowing what’s going to happen and when this threat will be over. Instead of remaining fearful, we can put more energy and effort into doing what we can, for example, reading to broaden our horizons, exercising to stay healthy, spending quality time with your loved ones, or enjoying music to soothe our minds.

Music Talks interviewed some of our guest musicians about how they’re coping during this period, their encouragements and the music that they would like to share with us…

Song Lists:

1. Wine madness, by Zhang Weijun & Sun Zheng

2. Pao Xiu Luo Lan, by Wu Lin

3. Troika, by Zhang Lu

4. BGM: guzheng by Zhang Lu

HE Xige is a celebrated musician from Inner Mongolia. His songs well combine traditional Mongolian fiddle melodies with modernity, winning the favour of numerous music lovers from home and abroad.

Scanning through Mr HE’s playlist, you'll find a consistency that among the music, he attributed at least one song about MOTHERS in almost every album of his. Today, we’ll hear these songs and dedicate them to the dear mothers around the world.

1. Lullaby, 摇篮曲

2. Mother 母亲

3. The elderly mother 年迈的母亲

4. The great mother 阿萨拉额吉

5. The hometown mother beloved 母亲爱的故乡