Music Talks

The sound of Di, echoing through imperial courts and bustling marketplaces alike, has weaved melodies that transcended time and still resonate with collective memories of generations. The mellifluous tones of the Xiao, melting into the serene landscapes and through ancient pavilions, evoke a beauty that mirrors the soulful tranquility of traditional Chinese ink paintings.

The Erhu, with only two strings, has the power to express a thousand emotions and a myriad of styles. From its origins as an accompaniment, the Erhu has evolved into a solo instrument, transitioning from folk traditions to the grand stages of classical music. Its versatile repertoire showcases remarkable singing qualities and narrative depth, playing a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the rich cultural heritage of Chinese music.

The Bili is a Chinese double-reed wind instrument with a history dating back to ancient dynasties. Discover its distinctive mellow yet piercing timbre, exploring its unique cylindrical bore that sets it apart in the realm of traditional Chinese music. Join us on a musical odyssey as we unravel the cultural significance of the Bili, its role in various regional traditions, and the timeless stories embedded in its soulful echoes.

The trapezoidal Yangqin is a Chinese hammered dulcimer, most likely derived from the Iranian santur or the European dulcimer. After evolving for hundreds of years, now with its unmistakable timbre of bamboo and steel, it brings the impressive sound of a traditional Chinese instrument to modern musical works.

The Spring Festival is commonly believed to be the most important among Chinese people. Out of all kinds of celebrations, music is the most indispensable. In this special edition of Music Talks, we appreciate several ensembles of traditional Chinese instrumental music that are popular and usually played during the Spring Festival, and learn about the stories behind the composition.

The Suona is a traditional Chinese instrument that is played by blowing into a double-reed, through a mouth piece and then through the wooden body. Known for its extremely penetrating sound and distinctively northern flavor, the Chinese Suona is an instrument that has the ability to instinctively take the lead of all other instruments when played. Today, the Suona can refer to different kinds of trumpets that span across multiple registers.

The Ruan is a lute with four strings, a fretted neck, and is similar to the Pipa. The Ruan existed about 2000 years ago in the Western Jin Dynasty. This episode walks us through the history of the Ruan, telling stories about its origin, and explores how it combines tradition with new ideas.

Nanyin music is an ancient art form with a lineage of more than a thousand years surviving political, social and cultural change. It has been able to incorporate new influences, stay relevant to changing audiences yet maintain its ancient legacy. In 2009, China successfully championed for UNESCO designation of Nanyin as intangible cultural assets.

The Konghou is an ancient Chinese harp. It was once one of the most popular musical instruments in China but became extinct sometime in the Ming Dynasty. Now in the 20th Century, it has been revived in the shape of a double bridge harp. This modern version of the instrument barely resembles its ancient form, but has a shape similar to Western frame harps.

Qin music tends to linger on certain notes, with an emphasis on silence and timbre, giving it a meditative quality. "Qin qi shu hua" refers to the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar, wherein "qin" refers specifically to Guqin. In this episode, we learn more about the development of this musical instrument, to understand its connotation in trying to cultivate one's mind.