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New take on traditional sounds

Updated: 2018-03-15 08:16:12

( China Daily )

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Hu Chenyun, Chinese musician and suona performer.[Photo provided to China Daily]

And people in the western part of Hunan, belonging to the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, which he comes from, used to sing at the creeks, believing the flow of water would carry their emotions to the people they missed.

This unique music form is called shui qiang, or "the tune of water".

Giving details about the music form, Peng says: "Shui qiang (which was recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage in 2006) has existed for hundreds of years. But, it has kept changing and evolving. And I believe it will go on to develop more.

"As an artist I wish to play a part in the evolution process, and bring in new elements.

Peng also wants to replicate the music form in a theater, believing that the singing and dancing will spark connections for contemporary audiences.

According to him: "Today we all live fast lives and hardly ever slow down to listen to each other. So, the show can be an opportunity for people to channel this river that connects them and their loved ones."

For the show, Peng has music by composer Liu Wen and dancers from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts.

The third concert of the 2018 series will be The Trio featuring Chinese pianist Jia Ran, German violinist Daniel Rohn and Armenian saxophonist Hayrapet Arakelyan. The musicians met in Europe and teamed up to form a trio.

For Music Infiniti, they will perform contemporary compositions, works by Stravinsky, as well as new arrangements of George Gershwin's creations, such as I Got Rhythm and Summertime.


If you go

Music Infiniti 2018
Dashing Along the Silk Road: Recital by Hu Chenyun
7:30 pm, March 16
The Tune of Water
7:30 pm, March 23
The Trio
7:30 pm, March 30
Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall, 523 Yan'an Road East, Huangpu district, Shanghai. 4008-918-182.

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