I was fortunate to be exposed to both Western classical and traditional Chinese music as a youth. While I loved playing Bach, Chopin, and Shostakovich, I also enjoyed being part of a Chinese orchestra, its music at the time mostly based on traditional folk songs and opera. I was immersed in Chinese orchestral music for many years - the music became an important part of me because it connected me with my heritage - yet I wished to discover something new. Being in Canada gave me limited access to contemporary Chinese music. It wasn’t until I traveled to Hong Kong in 2008 and Taiwan in 2010 that I found what I was searching for sonically: new compositions that explored the immense range of sounds using traditional instruments; works that infused new ideas with musical idioms and ornaments that originate from traditional practice. Dr. Chih-Sheng Chen, the Artistic Director and Founder of Little Giant Chinese Chamber Orchestra (Taiwan), introduced me to the world of contemporary Chinese music, and I am forever grateful.
Wang Danhong’s “Dreaming by the Plum Blossoms” is one of the many pieces that drew me to contemporary music. Written for a small ensemble, it is based on Tang Xianzu’s play, “Peony Pavilion”, a famous love story from the Ming Dynasty. Wang uses elements from Kunqu opera in her composition. For me, each time I listen to this work, I am surprised and enticed by little fragments of familiar music and phrases that appear throughout the piece. I began to explore more contemporary works for traditional Chinese ensembles and orchestras, drawn to the large variety of instrumental colours that also offered rich possibilities in composition. The programmatic tradition of most Chinese compositions also allows me to learn more about my culture through the stories, the poetry, and the different perspectives. I was excited to visit Asia often to attend concerts and discover more about this music. Over the years, it has become a passion of mine to introduce these instruments to Canadian composers and audiences, hopefully inspiring more new compositions and collaborations.
