Upclose with Bryan Lai
Bryan Lai is Hong Kong’s first-ever Yangqin (a large stringed instrument you play with hammers) Master graduate from the Bejing Central Conservatory of Music. Ahead of his Hong Kong debut concert, the emerging star of the traditional Chinese music scene talks to Minnie Li about his passion for the Yangqin.
HK Magazine: Your upcoming concert will feature famous western scores blended with Chinese instruments. What’s the story behind that?
Bryan Lai: Hong Kong people are not so familiar with traditional Chinese music. That’s why I’ve been trying to promote Yangqin and other traditional instruments by playing Western classics such as “Phantom of the Opera” and “Over the Rainbow”—something the audience here may be more familiar with.
HK: What has been your biggest challenge?
BL: I’m not really sure how the audience will react to my interpretation of these western classics. Besides, I’ve had limited time to rehearse with different musicians—and I haven’t even had time to try the motion graphic in the performance venue yet!
HK: How is it different to play Western classics with a yangqin?
BL: Music is really just notes, so there isn’t a huge difference between Chinese and Western music per se. But some musical instruments do work better with different styles. For example, if you play Western music with an erhu, the melody can be weird if you keep the portamento of the instrument. Fortunately, the yangqin is similar to piano in terms of sound, so it works quite naturally with Western music.
HK: Can you play other instruments?
BL: I minored in piano when I was studying in the conservatory. I also learned percussion since it was my compulsory course.
HK: How does it feel to return to your hometown and play to a local audience?
BL: It is my first show in Hong Kong since my graduation. People are very kind and have been asking me frequently when will I stage my show here I hope it meets their expectation! I am a bit nervous to be honest. I have found foreign audiences to be more open-minded to unfamiliar music forms. I once played two Mexican folk songs on yangqin in Mexico back in 2007. I remember the audience gave me a standing ovation afterwards. This experience further reinforced my idea to promote traditional Chinese music internationally.
HK: Have you ever had any strange questions about the yangqin?
BL: Someone once asked me if I played it by poking the strings with my fingers. In fact, the yangqin was imported from Persia to China centuries ago, and therefore it is not actually an original Chinese instrument. In fact, Germany, India and even some Eastern European countries have their own versions of the yangqin.