Jing SUN: Master of Pen and Sword

Pipa: Wei FAN / Little Giant Chinese Chamber Orchestra, Tien-Ku Percussion Group / Chih-Sheng Chen / National Concert Hall, Taipei, Taiwan 2017.2.4.

Fulfilling the balance of ‘civil and martial art’ is symbolically an ideal in Chinese traditional culture. This is also an important thread of development for traditional pipa music. From the battle drums between the Chu and Han Dynasties, to the music and dance of the prosperous Tang Dynasty; from the sound of silk and bamboo south of the Yangtze River to the gold and iron horses in the north of Saibei; from deep heartfelt sentiment to chivalrous tenderness… so came the evolution of the pipa with its abundant musical vocabulary. In time, its popularity became wide-spread. This work showcases the diverse musical language of the pipa, retaining its traditional characteristics while adapting contemporary features.

(Translation: Shiyan Zhang / Edit: Patty Chan)

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