Music Talks

From China’s Warring States period more than 2,400 years ago, the Zenghouyi chime bells were unearthed in 1978， the year that marked the start of a new chapter in China’s history. The discovery of the bells revealed a design that had been lost to history and enhanced Chinese musicology. It has witnessed the changes in China over the past 40 years.

The sheng is a multi-reed mouth organ that consists of numerous bamboo pipes, varying in length. Some believe that the first shengs were brought to Europe in the 18th century, and enlightened the invention of western reed instruments. In this episode, you will hear heartwarming sounds and music from the famous sheng master, Wu Tong. He will lead us on a journey toward an enlightened understanding of not only the sheng’s history but also its uniqueness as an instrument of China’s ancient royalty.

In the 1990s, when pop songs from Taiwan, Hong Kong and western countries came into the Chinese mainland, they soon attracted the attention of Chinese youngsters. As for traditional Chinese music, however, the post-1980s' impressions were not positive.

Between 2013 and 2017, President Xi Qiang and his China National Traditional Orchestra team presented three new productions, namely the Chinese Music Trilogy, stunning audiences at home and abroad. In this edition of Music Talks, Yang Yong will introduce them to you one by one.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Li Huanzhi, a towering figure among Chinese classical composers of the twentieth century as the composer of the orchestral score for China’s National Anthem. In this episode, we’ll continue to review Li's musical career, while enjoying a recent concert put on to commemorate him by the China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO).

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Li Huanzhi, a towering figure among Chinese classical composers of the twentieth century as the composer of the orchestral score for China’s National Anthem. In this episode and the next, we’ll review Li's musical career, while enjoying a recent concert put on to commemorate him by the China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO).

In this episode, we theme on the moon, to celebrate the Moon Festival or the Mid-Autumn Festival.

1. A Half Moon Climbs Up

2. When Will the Bright Moon Appear

3. Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon

4. Blooming Flowers and Full Moon

Special Thanks to China National Traditional Orchestra.

Traditional Chinese musical instruments are capable of imitating nature. In this episode of Music Talks, we recommend four musical pieces that give off the appeal of horse, tiger, wind and water. Can you tell which instruments are being used?

1. Divine Horse, by Zhu Jianping

2. Tiger Grinding the Teeth, by Zhu Jianping

3. Water Flowing from a Spring, by CNTO

4. Wind- The Youth Patrolling the Mountain, by Wu Lin

Special thanks to China National Traditional Orchestra.

Traditional Chinese musical instruments are capable of imitating animals. In this episode of Music Talks, we recommend four musical pieces that give off the appeal of birds chirping, flying and even arguing. Can you tell which instruments are being used?

1. Twittering of Birds and Fragrance of Flowers, by CNTO

2. Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, by CNTO

3. Partridge Birds Fly, by CNTO

4. Wild Geese Landing on the Beach, by Zhang Weijun

Special thanks to China National Traditional Orchestra and Zhang Weijun.

It's autumn now here in Beijing. We had a few rains over the past two weeks. As a Chinese saying goes, 一场秋雨一场寒, the temperature drops a bit after each time it rains. Today's ‘Music Talks’ themes on autumn rain. Here below is the list of the songs:

1. Night Rain Drops on the Banana Leaves

2. Flowers in the Rain

3. Autumn Melody

4. Bells Ringing in the Rain

Special thanks to China National Traditional Orchestra.

Explore the charm of the erhu via listening to a number of soundtracks you might be familiar with:

1. Hero, composer: Tandun

2. Mei Lanfang, composer: Zhang He

3. Cavalleria Rusticana, composer: Pietro Mascagni

4. Qiao Family Courtyard, composer: Zhao Jiping

Erhu by Jin Yue, with China National Traditional Orchestra