HK to launch lecture series 'New Music in 20th-Century China' in March

The government will present a lecture series, "'New Music' in 20th-Century China", in March. Hosted by Dr Jim Chang, the lecture series will review the "new music" that was generated as a result of the impact and integration of Western music culture on Chinese music in the last century as well as its related changes and inspirations.

In the early 20th century, Western music made its way to the East and impacted Chinese music in terms of ideology and aesthetics. New sounds and musical forms began to emerge, which marked a distinctive soundscape for that particular era. The five-lecture series will look into the development of the "new music" in China by reviewing its relevant history, stories and people involved, allowing attendees to acquire a deeper understanding of the history of modern Chinese music.

Details of each lecture are as follows:

Topic: Chinese music's road to modernisation

Date: March 2 (Thursday)

Content: To explain the history of the modernisation of Chinese music throughout the 20th century, and to discuss the controversies involved.

Topic: Chinese music? Or music of China?

Date: March 9 (Thursday)

Content: By introducing a number of renowned Chinese musicians and educators in recent history, to trace the genesis of "new music" and rethink its contemporary significance.

Topic: Pan-China Chinese orchestra

Date: March 16 (Thursday)

Content: To discuss the causes that led to the establishment of the pan-China Chinese orchestra and the inspiration brought by this new form of ensemble music.

Topic: The Art-Tune legend

Date: March 23 (Thursday)

Content: To look back on the legendary story of the Art-Tune Company Hong Kong, which was founded in Hong Kong in 1956 and specialised in the recording and distribution of music and operas from across China.

Topic: Ng Tai-kong and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra

Date: March 30 (Thursday)

Content: To review the history of the establishment of the professional Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra by the renowned local musician Ng Tai-kong, and to discuss the controversy of "symphonisation" of Chinese music proposed by him.

Dr Chang was trained under the guidance of sheng musician Lee Chee-kung and dizi and dongxiao musician Tam Po-shek, and joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra as a sheng musician. He has been the President of the Hong Kong Library Association, and retired as the Chief Librarian of the Hong Kong Central Library. Dr Chang is currently a part-time lecturer in the Academy of Music of the Hong Kong Baptist University.

All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese, and will be held at 7.30pm at AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $60 (for each lecture, with free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1472.html.

To safeguard public health, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must wear their own masks.