A unique concert made of young Chinese folk instrument playersfrom bands Lirenxing and Qingshandu has launched its performing season in Beijing on February 12, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of China National Traditional Orchestra

A unique concert season featuring young Chinese folk instrument musicians was launched in Beijing on Sunday. By using traditional string and wind instruments, the folk chamber orchestra recreates songs about famous heroes of the past.

On the first evening of the concert held in National Centre for the Performing Arts, a female and a male performing troupe both from China National Traditional Orchestra, Lirenxing and Qingsahndu, formed a grand orchestra of 30 performers presenting 12 works to the audience based on their two creative motivations: to inherit, and to innovate.

The works are a collection of well-known poetry in history and folklores, a combination and a show-off of Chinese instruments from the melodious flute to the crisp strings of guqin, presenting a trendy national music feast to the audience with fashionable language designed by young musicians.

The two bands with members of profound performing skills and artistic expressions, have made their names known to many netizens after posting their works on social media. And their fusion styles have been deeply loved by young audiences.

Take Toward A Brighter Future for example, the piece has been recognized as one of the most well-known erhu solo music since its debut in 1932. Created by erhu master Liu Tianhua, its bold arranger took inspirations from Western music elements but at the same time maintained a distinctive Chinese style, a model work taking advantage of the Western music to improve and enrich China's own music. Based on the creation of the pioneers of 1930s' Chinese folk musician Liu, the performers have added a modern touch.

In another performance Full River Red, or Manjianghong, a poem written by Yue Fei, a general who lived during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and was well-known for his loyalty to the emperor, the musicians gave a brand-new performance by reciting the poem wearing ancient long gowns. 

Performers presented the poem in a way that combines traditional opera and modern rhymes. The sound of iron indicates the scene on battlefields. Yet when the melody of the banhu (a kind of erhu) flows out in the hall, the helplessness of the poet Yue and his soldiers was presented with sadness.
 Xintianyou, a kind of local melody from Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, is another bomb show since its debut on a Mid-Autumn Festival stage. The local melody is originally a hymn to the land and life of the people of Shaanxi, which has a strong sense of rhythm. And the concert version is a creative piece combining rap, singing, and solo instrument, receiving long-lasting applause and cheers from the audience.

As part of "Treasure Chinese Music" series, this concert was directed by Wang Nan, with head of China National Traditional Orchestra Zhang Cong as its artistic director.
"The series is introduced to comply with the policy of the implement of creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese excellent traditional culture proposed by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism," introduced Zhao.

"We hope that more young performers will have the opportunity to showcase themselves and give out more high-quality works in front of the audience," said Zhao.