In this episode, we will explore "Phenomena," a Sheng concerto commissioned by China’s NCPA Orchestra. The program features European composer Bernd Richard Deutsch, Sheng virtuoso Wu Wei, and NCPA Orchestra’s Head of Artistic Planning, Tang Ning. They discuss the ancient Chinese mouth organ, the Sheng, and its unique integration into Western classi…

Ancient instruments are symbolic cultural relics, and people can get a glimpse of the culture and traditions behind their unique sounds. In this episode, Zhang Xuguang, a zither and bowed instrument performer with the China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe, join us to explore the captivating story behind the revival of the soulful sound of a sev…

​Embark on a captivating journey with Gesang Norbu, who has been pursuing his passion for the Tibetan fiddle despite tough challenges and discouraging voices from his family. When he finally brought his instrument into the limelight, he returned to his hometown with a resolute commitment to spread his love of the fiddle among the younger generation…

A recent concert titled "The Song of Xianghe", meaning a harmonic blend, is considered a fusion of Eastern and Western culture. In this episode, we will delve into the collaboration, and find out why Chinese flutist Zhang Weiliang believes his instrument is able to represent the Chinese spirit and people, and discover how Chinese music speaks to Fr…

In April of 2024, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, China, presented German composer Richard Wagner’s enduring and epic opera "The Flying Dutchman". The production received enormous acclaim from Chinese audiences for its spectacular stage design and masterful performances. In this special episode of Music Talks, we will…

Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo music is a cherished folk instrumental tradition in southern China. From its ancient origins to its modern-day significance, this episode highlights the evolution of this musical heritage, and its role in contemporary society. There are insights from experts and performers, as well as captivating musical performances, shedd…

The traditional Chinese festival Qingming Festival is commemorated to honor and pay respects to ancestors. Flowers such as plum blossoms, peach blossoms, and peonies, which bloom during the Qingming Festival, carry profound cultural connotations. They serve as emotional symbols to express respect and nostalgia for deceased loved ones, while also sy…

The Sanxian is a traditional Chinese string instrument with a history spanning over 2,000 years. It belongs to the plucked lute family and is widely played in various genres of Chinese music, including traditional folk music, opera, and contemporary compositions. It holds a revered place in Chinese musical culture, embodying centuries of tradition.…

The Jizhong Sheng-guan Music, a traditional genre prevalent in the Jizhong Plain region of China has been playing an important role in the people's lives for centuries. Its instrumentation, performance styles, and historical background established its distinctive status in folk activities and ceremonies.…

The sound of Di, echoing through imperial courts and bustling marketplaces alike, has weaved melodies that transcended time and still resonate with collective memories of generations. The mellifluous tones of the Xiao, melting into the serene landscapes and through ancient pavilions, evoke a beauty that mirrors the soulful tranquility of traditiona…

The Erhu, with only two strings, has the power to express a thousand emotions and a myriad of styles. From its origins as an accompaniment, the Erhu has evolved into a solo instrument, transitioning from folk traditions to the grand stages of classical music. Its versatile repertoire showcases remarkable singing qualities and narrative depth, playi…

The Bili is a Chinese double-reed wind instrument with a history dating back to ancient dynasties. Discover its distinctive mellow yet piercing timbre, exploring its unique cylindrical bore that sets it apart in the realm of traditional Chinese music. Join us on a musical odyssey as we unravel the cultural significance of the Bili, its role in vari…

The trapezoidal Yangqin is a Chinese hammered dulcimer, most likely derived from the Iranian santur or the European dulcimer. After evolving for hundreds of years, now with its unmistakable timbre of bamboo and steel, it brings the impressive sound of a traditional Chinese instrument to modern musical works.…

The Spring Festival is commonly believed to be the most important among Chinese people. Out of all kinds of celebrations, music is the most indispensable. In this special edition of Music Talks, we appreciate several ensembles of traditional Chinese instrumental music that are popular and usually played during the Spring Festival, and learn about t…

The Suona is a traditional Chinese instrument that is played by blowing into a double-reed, through a mouth piece and then through the wooden body. Known for its extremely penetrating sound and distinctively northern flavor, the Chinese Suona is an instrument that has the ability to instinctively take the lead of all other instruments when played. …

The Ruan is a lute with four strings, a fretted neck, and is similar to the Pipa. The Ruan existed about 2000 years ago in the Western Jin Dynasty. This episode walks us through the history of the Ruan, telling stories about its origin, and explores how it combines tradition with new ideas.

Nanyin music is an ancient art form with a lineage of more than a thousand years surviving political, social and cultural change. It has been able to incorporate new influences, stay relevant to changing audiences yet maintain its ancient legacy. In 2009, China successfully championed for UNESCO designation of Nanyin as intangible cultural assets.…

The Konghou is an ancient Chinese harp. It was once one of the most popular musical instruments in China but became extinct sometime in the Ming Dynasty. Now in the 20th Century, it has been revived in the shape of a double bridge harp. This modern version of the instrument barely resembles its ancient form, but has a shape similar to Western frame…

Qin music tends to linger on certain notes, with an emphasis on silence and timbre, giving it a meditative quality. "Qin qi shu hua" refers to the Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar, wherein "qin" refers specifically to Guqin. In this episode, we learn more about the development of this musical instrument, to understand its connotation in trying to c…

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“Pi” for plucking the strings forward, and “pa” for plucking the strings backward. The Pipa, sometimes called the "Chinese lute", is a plucked instrument with a varying number of frets ranging from 12 to 31. In this episode, we explore the historical stories of this traditional musical instrument, and see how modern Pipa artists have been working t…

The Bianqing is a traditional Chinese percussion instrument consisting of a set of L-shaped flat stone chimes known as Qing, played melodically. In this episode, we dive into the stories associated with this musical instrument, while understanding more about China's ancient ritual and court music.

Explore the Xun, an ancient Chinese wind instrument with over 7,000 years of history. This rare earthen instrument reflects a journey through China's musical history and connects deeply with traditional Chinese philosophy. In this episode, we delve into the Xun's legacy and its significance in Chinese culture.…

COP28 calls for global collective action and commitment to protect the environment and restore the vitality of nature in response to the climate change crisis. We explore the melodies depicting the natural scenery of China and the prosperity of local people through traditional Chinese ethnic instruments such as the Erhu, Yangqin, and Suona, as well…

The traditional Chinese Zheng has an illustrious history that dates back thousands of years. Along its evolving journey, it has also inspired the creation of many other musical instruments. Join us to appreciate the wonderful music composed by this "Chinese harp".

This episode explores the Sheng, a traditional Chinese wind instrument known for its ability to produce harmonies independently. Revered as the forebear of reed instruments, the Sheng has influenced various Western instruments like the organ and accordion. We delve into its phoenix-inspired design and its profound role in shaping musical aesthetics…

In September 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra visited China for the first time, marking a historic moment as the first American orchestra to tour to the country. In November 2023, they return to Beijing, commemorating 50 years of enduring cultural ties and musical collaboration between the two nations. In this special edition of “Music Talks”, we w…

In China, drums are an instrument that transcend its musical identity. In times long past, they acted as a celestial bridge for communication, an integral part of labor, military, ceremonial, and spiritual life. Today, they continue to symbolize the Chinese people's aspirations for prosperity and happiness, playing a vital role in the performing ar…

Embark on a journey to explore the poetic beauty of Hangzhou, the host city of the 19th Asian Games. Let your soul be enchanted by harmonious melodies and timeless poems in this special episode of Music Talks, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Words from Chinese ancient poems... Captivating notes in Chinese traditional music... A symphony of culture and history that will touch your heart and stir your soul... Will Hangzhou, the heart of China's poetic heritage, now a city of sportsmanship and unity, leave you inspired and enchanted？ Join the Hangzhou Rendezvous with Music Talks on Mid-Au…

In this episode, we journey through the majestic realms of China’s ancient Bianzhong Bells, which are grand percussion instruments dating back to the 11th century BC. Join us to uncover the bells’ extraordinary design, dual-tone capabilities, and their role in unveiling the rich tapestry of China’s musical and ceremonial culture.…

In this episode, we unravel the enchanting story of the Jiahu Bone Flutes, or Gudi, an ancient instrument that emerged over 8,000 years ago. Rediscovered in the 1980s, these flutes illuminate a rich musical heritage that has long been forgotten...

In this episode, we dive into the distinctive music of the Yi people, the sixth largest ethnic minority in China. In 2019, two Gen-Z musicians, Ji'er Chisha and Liu Junlin, embarked on a journey to the Yi ethnic areas in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces to collect folk songs. In March, 2023, they released an album featuring a collection of songs with s…

Our guest today is Liao Nini, a guqin enthusiast, a teacher and also an online influencer who has been actively promoting the ancient Chinese zither over the past decade. With a history of over 3,000 years, the guqin is one of the oldest plucked instruments in China. Apart from her proficiency in the guqin, she is also skilled in playing the guzhen…

Duanwu Festival, better known as the Dragon Boat Festival, falls on June 22 this year. With a history of over 2,000 years, it's celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. To mark this special occasion, we invite several young musicians from across the country to share with us how the festival is reflected…

In this episode, we are joined by a music producer and DJ from Shanghai who goes by the name M3SSIAH. Considered one of the early pioneers of China's electronic music scene, the musician trailblazed a style known as China Epic EDM by blending traditional Chinese elements and symphony into electronic music. Today, the artist brings us several pieces…

In this episode, we introduce a lesser-known musical treasure from ancient China called the xun. Also known as the Chinese ocarina, it's a vessel flute that is often made of clay and is shaped like a pear with multiple holes dotted on the surface. Over the past decades, a number of artists have endeavored to bring the ancient gem back to life, with…

In this episode, we dive into the world of the double bass. For those who're not familiar with the instrument, it looks a lot like the cello but is larger in size and comes with a lower pitch. Our guest today is double bassist Li Shaonan from Beijing who aspires to bring healing music to a wider audience.…

The shakuhachi is one of the most iconic wind instruments in Japan. It's an ancient bamboo flute with five finger holes and is held vertically. In terms of its origin, it's widely believed that the bamboo flute made its way to Japan from China around the 8th century. Our guest today is Chinese shakuhachi player Fang Guanghui. In this episode, Fang …

Dera Tserang is an ethnic Tibetan musician based in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Originally a member of the Tibetan band Nyima, Dera has been dedicated to creating world music with Tibetan characteristics. In this episode, Dera joins us and shares some of his handpicked songs.

Please rate and review this podcast — it helps more people discover their love for flowers! For images, links and more information about what we talk about in this episode, visit https://www.teamflower.org/free To not miss a new episode of the Team Flower Podcast, tap here (https://www.teamflower.org/join-the-pen-pal-club) to sign up for the free P…

Please rate and review this podcast — it helps more people discover their love for flowers! For images, links and more information about what we talk about in this episode, visit https://www.teamflower.org/free To not miss a new episode of the Team Flower Podcast, tap here (https://www.teamflower.org/join-the-pen-pal-club) to sign up for the free P…

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. At Nanchang Hangkong University in Jiangxi Province, a group of foreign students have formed a band named after the initiative. In this episode, the band's vocalist Daniel from Tanzania, drummer Nyasha and backup singer Ollie from Zimbabwe join us and share some of their songs.…

Paying it forward is a way to pass acts of kindness on to others. Wang Qian is a zither instrumentalist and an educator with the Central Conservatory of Music. In recent years, she has been dedicated to giving back to society with the power of music, as she believes the role of modern musicians is not solely about making music, but also about inspi…

May 1 marks International Workers' Day, an annual holiday to pay tribute to the laborers around the world. Gucang, previously known as the New Workers, is a band based in Beijing. What's special about this band is that this troupe is largely comprised of former migrant workers and has sung solely for laborers over the past two decades. In this epis…

April 24 marks the Space Day of China, an annual occasion to commemorate the country's achievements in space exploration. To pay tribute to human's space exploration endeavors, musicians from China and Iceland have joined hands and created a theme song titled Space Fantasia. In this episode, Icelandic musician Doctor Victor, Chinese pop singer Neri…

Since 2019, Hao Sa, a Chinese instrumentalist with the Beijing Peking Opera Theatre, has been diligent in incorporating more Chinese classical instruments into the Peking opera ensemble, more specifically the seven-stringed zither and the Chinese hammered-dulcimer. Today, Hao shares with us how and why she has been pivotal in spreading these ancien…

The Chinese classic "Flowing Water" is played with one of the oldest Chinese instruments, called the Guqin, also known as the seven-stringed zither. In early April, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the story behind the thousand-year-old tune to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron when they recently held informal talks in Guangzhou. In thi…

The Chinese classical piece “Along the River during the Qingming Festival” portrays the landscape of Bianjing, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty during the 10th and the 12th centuries, and gives us a glimpse of the daily lives of the ancient people and how they celebrated the Qingming Festival or Tomb-sweeping Day. In this episode, our guest…

Our guest today is Halamuji, an ethnic Mongolian musician from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China. The Mongols are often dubbed as "the people on horseback." Aside from their nomadic way of life, they are also known for their distinctive music. In this episode, the 24-year-old musician shares several pieces of music featuring the Mongo…