Guqin (Chinese zither) player Chen Zhijun [Photo provided to China Daily]

The brain waves were sometimes illustrated as parallel lines. When the musicians started to perform, little dots would emerge and fly across the screen, causing the lines to flutter like peaks and troughs, resembling British rock band Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures album cover.

The solo pipa performance seemed particularly awe-inspiring to the audience. A myriad of white dots flowed across the dark screen, looking like negatives of Chinese ink-wash paintings. Occasionally, at a sudden explosion of notes, the dots multiplied and bloomed like fireworks, setting the entire hall alight. When the piece ended, the dots ceased dancing and dripped down the screen, leaving the audience with a sense of serenity.