The wondrous sound of reeds

Souls of the ancient past stay forever young, energized by music of eternal charm. The ‘Sheng Clusters’ concert of the last season was warmly received not only because it was the first ever sheng ensemble recital but also the concept was a breakthrough in programming. As a second series, this concert features Kuan Nai-chung’s classic, A World of Love (Excerpt), Ng Cheuk-yin’s ingeniously conceived Sing Sang Sung suite and Joe Hisaishi’s worldwide hit, Suite from Miyazaki Hayao’s Animation Pictures. Chen Yi-wei, HKCO’s Sheng Principal will add dynamic and reflective moments by bringing back his compositions, The Breath of Life ~ Nasi, and his arrangement of Daban City Swing, plus a new duet which will make its world premiere at this concert. The spotlight will be on other sheng virtuosi of the HKCO as well, with Lu Yi demonstrating his technical gamut on the wenqusheng, and Huang Yu-hsuan conjuring up the sights and sounds of exotic Borneo in Sompoton Dance on the sompoton, an instrument indigenous to the Kadazan-Dusun people of Sabah. Yang Xinyu, bronze winner of lusheng solo for Exotic Instruments of the Ethnic Minorities of the Wenhua Arts Institutes Awards, will perform a solo piece, Train to the Dong Village, on the lusheng. The splendorous timbre of the pipe family will once again bring a refreshing listening experience, so look out for it!