I've had no internet connection for a week (I know, you ask how I survived so primatively) therefore this post is written somewhat belatedly.Friday 14th March I saw the HK Chinese Orchestra perform at the Royal Festival Hall. It was the first time I had ever seen a full set of 85 traditional Chinese instruments arranged in a set-up similar to that of the Western classical orchestra. I surprised myself knowing as many names of the instruments as I did - from the Erhu/Gehu string section to the Dizi/Sheng wind section, the Chinese have instruments which have a direct counterpart in the equivalent Western orchestra but also some rather unusual plucked stringed instruments such as the Guzheng and Yangqin which are rather more unique and elaborate.
The beautiful traditional music they performed inspired me to want to pick up my Erhu again. I took some basic lessons last summer (I haven't told many people this) in an attempt to pay hommage to my Chinese roots by playing a traditional instrument. Can anyone suggest a simple, traditional piece? I would really like to master one. Just one will do.
Mentionable moments in the concert include a very animated Sanxian player and singer who was from Heilongjiang province, near my hometown. I could tell he even had my local accent. The conductor also involved the audience by making us sing at the appropriate times during an encore of a popular HK soap opera theme song.
OK, I'm so tired I can't be bothered to write anything more constructive tonight. I hope everyone enjoys the Easter weekend! I'm heading up to Birmingham, preparing to be fed a lot of delicious Chinese food (we're not Christian but we make the most of it). However, it means I'll probably have to sit through hours of traffic on the motorway to get there...
