The sound of our history

"At these two concerts, we are making a bold attempt," he says. "All five of the works performed are large concertos that combine music from various parts of China."

The orchestra's artistic director Yan Huichang wrote a song for the show named Nuo, or exorcism dance, representing southern China. Northeast China is represented by the Song of Black Earth. The northern style is represented by Strings and Drum in Harmony. Zhao, to provide a taste of northwestern music, has chosen to combine in his piece northern Shaanxi monologue storytelling with an auxiliary rhythm beater tied to his leg. Local composer Ng Cheuk-yin has also contributed a performance.

"We can say that the concerts cover all the major components of traditional Chinese music culture," Zhao says.

Zhao has been greatly encouraged by all the support and interest he and his sanxian have garnered, and vows to continue striving to keep the instrument a living part of Chinese culture.

"I have countless memories of my performances being well-received, and these experiences have encouraged me to work harder to carry the art of the sanxian forward," he says.