Be Moved By This

[douglaslam]

There isn't one posting for the last two days on the pages of this forum, So, I decided to put on a musical piece as diversion. This maybe of interest particularly to members who are not familiar with traditional Chinese music.

This particular piece and version is one of my favourites. I can never get tired of listening to it, and it never fails to move me.

Picture if you will : it is dusk, the fishing junks are returning to the village one by one. There, by the water's edge, the wives, children and ageing parents are eagerly waiting for the men's return and help with the catch. At 4'30" the music reaches a climax as more boats return, and everyone is home safely. It conveys a scene of joy and relief. The music then fades as people go to their respective homes as night falls.

This is a concert performance of the same piece. The artists, for some reason appear in operatic makeup, to great effect. It adds an extra dimension to the music, it is alive. I find myself completely immersed in it.

This tune is well liked by Chinese people everywhere. I love it and I hope you, too, will find it a moving musical experience . Sit back, relax, listen and enjoy , let the music transport you to a peaceful scene of mundane daily life of the fishers of yesteryear.

[lachinatown]

Thanks douglaslam. This place needs to come alive.

[douglaslam]

I am fascinated by this teenage performer, the erhu player on the left of the screen. She is on many Youtube clips, singing a variety of Cantonese opera roles. According to the article below, she was born in Vancouver to parents from Hong Kong. She had a Chinese education in Hong Kong,up to year 7 standard, and goes there often to hone her Chinese language skills.

www.westca.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=241519/lang=tchinese.html I am heartened by her artistic pursuit, which ensures the long term survival of our culture. The two performers must have appeared in an opera excerpt, and there was no time to change as they went on to play that ever popular piece of music. I just love it.

Has anyone of our members in Vancouver and Nth. America seen the two talented youngster perform on stage?

[FayChee]

Douglas,
I just listened to this music and it certainly is as beautiful as you describe. Thank you for posting it as I would never have found it myself. The pictures were interesting too.....expecially the food.

Fay Chee

[douglaslam]

Fay Chee, we all have much to learn about Chinese culture. When I, a starry-eyed boy, arrived in Hong Kong in 1956, I was like the proverbial sponge. One of the things I soaked up in big doses was music on the wireless, the cable Rediffusion Radio, and at the movies. I'll upload more in future for all to share. Douglas