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February 24, 2017

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Home » Feature » Art and Culture

‘Music Infinity’ — a fusion of a different kind

By Zhang Qian | February 24, 2017, Friday | Print Edition

“MUSIC Infinity,” a program initiated by Shanghai Concert Hall that features crossover works, is making a comeback this spring.

The series, which will run from March 11 to 25, will include an experimental concert of sheng, a very ancient traditional Chinese instrument; a musical theater of piano and Kunqu Opera; and a jazz-style concert of pingtan, a traditional storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect.

“We hope that we can provide a platform for not only the classics, but also future creativity,” says Fang Liang, vice president of Shanghai Concert Hall.

Fang was encouraged by comments of a local critic, who watched “Music Infinity” last year and said “though it was not perfect but it was exciting.”

“All the three concerts that will be presented this time are original and innovative. I hope that by supporting them it can inspire more artists to try and test experiments,” says Fang.

The Shanghai Concert Hall is now recruiting programs for “Music Infinity” for next year.

Experimental concert of sheng

As a young rebellious artist, sheng player Zhang Meng always wanted to do something different apart from mastering the ancient art.

Sheng is such an ancient instrument that very few people today even know about its existence.

Zhang remembers being repeatedly questioned when passing through security check at the airport while traveling to the US. To convince the security, he played the instrument on the spot.

For the concert on March 11, Zhang will combine the traditional Chinese instrument with electronic music, multimedia show, percussion and mixed chamber music.

He will perform his original work “Hear from Underwater.”

Zhang spent months collecting various sounds of daily life — at home, in the park — and even the sound of the ATM machine.

“I always believe that sounds can be seen. I hope it can remind the audiences the details of life that they usually neglect,” he says.

Piano and Kunqu Opera

Music theater “I Fantasie,” which will be staged on March 18, will create space when Debussy meets the heroine of Kunqu play “The Peony Pavilion,” Du Liniang.

Pianist Gu Jieting never intentionally learnt Kunqu Opera, but has grown up surrounded by melodies sung by opera-following grandparents.

On hearing Debussy for the first time, she found amazing familiarity in the piece.

“It seems to be very similar to the Kunqu melodies and bothered me for long time,” says Gu. She then did in-depth research that also helped her in her essay on the different approaches of Debussy’s music and traditional Chinese art. Not satisfied by just the theory, Gu decided to take to stage as well.

The theater will tell the story of Debussy, played by the pianist, communicating with Du, played by a Kunqu performer, in four acts. Ten of Debussy’s works will be presented, including “Golden Fish,” “Girl with the Flaxen Hair” and “Moonlight.”

Pingtan in jazz style

Though most people may consider jazz and pingtan, a vocal performance popular in the regions south of the Yangtze River, as two very different arts, pingtan artist Gao Bowen is firm about a common ground — both are free and encourage improvisational performances.

As a traditional opera practitioner, Gao has always been told about the importance of original flavor for pingtan. But his vision of making something fun never faded. He collaborated with rock and pop artists years ago, and is now trying out pingtan with jazz. He is glad that more young people are attending his concert.

“It is always good to get audiences for any arts. I never consider crossover the new direction for pingtan, but a new option,” says Gao. “I hope that those interested in my new experiment will also go to a traditional theater to experience the original as well.”

Apart from presenting classic pingtan arias in jazz style, Gao will also interpret some traditional Chinese poems.

“Scholars in ancient China chant rather than read poems. I would like to invite Shanghai audiences to get a bit taste of those, too,” says Gao.

• Sheng concert by Zhang Meng

Date: March 11, 7:30pm

 

• Music theater “I Fantasie”

Date: March 18, 7:30pm

 

• “Gao Bowen and His Friends” pingtan concert

Date: March 25, 7:30pm

Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall, 523 Yan’an Rd E.

Tickets: 80-380 yuan

Tel: 400-891-8182

Art and Culture


 

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