Yat Po Singers and Chinese Orchestra explore Chinese medicine through music
Collaboration with a cappella foursome is latest example of Hong Kong ensemble's adventurous programming
HERBAL, VOCAL OR MOTIONAL?
HK Chinese Orchestra and Yat Po Singers
They are notthe kind of collaborators generally associated with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, but local a cappella outfit Yat Po Singers are the latest guests to team up with the adventurous ensemble.
At first glance, an a cappella group and a Chinese orchestra seem to have nothing in common. The former is all about singing without instrumental accompaniment while the latter is, well, made up of instruments. But this programme, cryptically titled Herbal, Vocal or Motional?, is about to change that perception, say the singers.
The four members of Yat Po Singers — Keith Wong Chun-kit, Sam Lau Siu-hong, Ronald Tsang Ho-fung, and Raoul Chan Chi-him — explain that one aspect of what promises to be a fun-filled concert is about exploring the relationship and philosophies between Chinese medicine and music.
While a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner evaluates a patient by the four-step process of inspection, inquiring, listening and a pulse diagnosis, Chinese music composition — just like Western music — involves introduction, exposition, development and recapitulation, according to the programme notes. "So is there a correlation there?" it asks. More food for thought is the idea of "balance of the Five Elements" in Chinese medicine, and the use of the "pentatonic scale" in Chinese music, the notes say.
