Eastern Music from an Ancient Millennium

As part of Eclectica Salamanca ~ a musical excursion to other times, other places,  Salamanca Arts Centre presents ...

Chamber Ensemble with four Soloists perform
Eastern Music from an Ancient Millennium

Sunday 27th March 2022
The Long Gallery
5:30pm – 6:30pm

Ancient Chinese Philosophers, such as Taoism Laozi and Confucius, believed that there was nothing small or big, so that the greatest power of music can still be created and delivered by the most gentle solo voice or instrument. This may be one of the reasons that there were few examples of musical ensemble arrangements in Ancient China, as most Chinese instruments were not suitable to playing along with the other solo or ensemble instruments. 

Classical Chinese music is full of yearning for nature and the natural environment, and contemporary Chinese musicians and performers have inherited a unique performance style passed on by their ancestors, so that each performer can interpret the power and beauty expressed in music through their own body language. 

The soloists and ensemble invite audiences to experience not just a musical performance, but also a journey back to the mysterious Eastern land, thousands of years ago through this particular performance style.

In this 'Concert in the Round' four soloists, playing on traditional Chinese musical instruments, perform traditional Chinese folk tunes and songs, in turn, and then combine to perform as four soloists with accompaniment by a Western string ensemble; in some ways like a Concerto for four Chinese instruments.

Weihang Li graduated from Sydney Conservatorium of Music with a Masters degree of Music Studies (Conducting), and went on to found the C-Silk International Music Association Inc. in 2018. He has been directing the Southern Tasmanian Community Orchestra since 2019, and is a private violin tutor and an orchestra manager. Weihang has been conducting professional orchestras, chamber orchestras, choirs and amateur & student groups in Australia and China for over 10 years. He started his time on the podium when he was 18 years old when he was also the concertmaster of his high school symphony orchestra, conducting their summer concert series from 2008 to 2013 in China. During his time in Sydney, Weihang was the assistant conductor of Maestro Eduardo Diazmunõz, performing in the Australian premiere of Leonard Bernstein's Mass at the Sydney Opera House, and as assistant choral conductor for Richard Bonynge, performing the Haydn Opera 'Orfeo and Euridice' under the direction of Professor Neil McEwan. Weihang has also conducted Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, performing Beethoven's Symphony No. 6. In Tasmania, Weihang has conducted the Derwent Symphony Orchestra for its 2019 Young Musician’s concert, performing Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone symphonic suite as well as some Italian opera arias. He has been working with Southern Tasmanian Community Orchestra for two years and conducted six of their concerts. Working as the president of C-Silk International Music Association, Weihang has been directing over 15 concerts including their ten online concerts during COVID-19 lockdown time and their two-year anniversary concert series in St Mary’s Cathedral in 2020. In the academic field, Weihang was the invitee of Oxford International Conducting Conference in 2019 and the invitee of 2020 International Conducting Masterclass held in Czech Republic by Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Manyun Liu an Erhu soloist born in Beijing, China, began her music instrument learning journey at the age of 4. She has been performing Erhu in five countries and promoting Chinese traditional music since 2007. As a member of the Cambridge University Chinese Orchestra Society, Manyun was invited to perform at the British Museum as part of the China-themed cultural event in 2016. Having been locked down in Australia due to the pandemic, she fell in love with this beautiful land of wilderness, and moved to Hobart in 2020. With her passion for music and intercultural communication, Manyun is willing to share her understanding and interpretation of Chinese music to audience all around the world.

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Yongyue Li is a Guzheng player, and was born in Yunnan, China. She has been playing Guzheng for 16 years. She moved to Hobart in 2018 and has played at MONA FOMA, MONA NEW YEAR EVE, IMPRESSION OF TASMANIA & FUJIAN ARTS EXHIBITION, CHINESE NEW YEAR EVE, TASMANIA FENJIU TASTING EVENTS. 

The Guzheng, also known as the Oriental Piano, is the Han nationality ancient ethnic musical instrument. With a history of more than 2500 years, the Guzheng and its music has seen continuous development, and can be used in several occasions. As a Guzheng player, Yongyue believes that Guzheng is one of the most beautiful Chinese traditional musical instruments, which can perfectly represent traditional Chinese culture and aesthetic.

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Jieyi Huang, ‘Pipa’ player, was born in China. She has been playing the ‘Pipa’ for 16 years under the instruction of Kehao Tang. She has been living in Hobart for a few years and played the ‘Pipa’ at both 2020 Chinese Moon Festival and 2021 Chinese Moon Festival. The ‘Pipa’ means a great deal to

Jieyi Huang as it has accompanied her throughout her entire childhood and school life. She believes that Chinese classical music can not only purify the mind, edify sentiment, cultivate temperament, but it also has an important influence on social spirit and fashion.

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Sally Chen, Guqin (Qin) player, was born in Sichuan China, and has been playing Guqin for five years under the instruction of Nalan Zhao. The Guqin is the oldest Chinese stringed instrument, with a history of more than 3,000 years, and is listed by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The Guqin has a wide range of sounds and tends to linger on certain notes which emphasize silence and timbre, and can offer the listener a feeling of "inner peace and mindlessness". When Sally listens to the deep and distant sound of the Qin she feels herself having a conversation with time and space. "It is a bridge that connects me with nature and the surrounding environment". Sally feels the aesthetics and philosophy conveyed by the Quqin cultivates your mind and seeks harmony with nature. 

Eclectica Salamanca is supported by the City of Hobart through its Cultural Grants Program and by the Commonwealth Government's Office of the Arts via the RISE Fund.