In Scenes of Guangdong concert, musical journey's first notes sounded in ancient history
Travelling in Chiu Chow isn't just one of the pieces to be performed at a concert at the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre theatre tomorrow; it underscores the fact that "Scenes of Guangdong" is a musical journey.
The festive sound of lively music drifts out of a rehearsal studio in an industrial building in Kowloon Bay. Inside, veteran conductor Kwok Hang-kei rehearses the composition Travelling in Chiu Chow with acclaimed musician Wang Peiyu and an ensemble of young players.
Travelling in Chiu Chow isn't just one of the pieces to be performed at a concert at the Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre theatre tomorrow; it underscores the fact that "Scenes of Guangdong" is a musical journey. The concert takes the audience to the historic world of Chiu Chow music, which is on the national list of intangible cultural heritage as well as Hong Kong's own inventory.
"Chiu Chow music is a descendent of ancient Chinese music played in palaces and at religious rituals," said Kwok, 74, who is guest conductor for the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble for the night.
Watch: How a descendant of ancient Chinese music is being kept alive in Hong Kong
"The geography and the language of Chiu Chow have kept the music intact in the area, but they are also obstacles to spreading out the music and moving the music forward. It needs to be opened up to new creations," Kwok said.