Watch This | Understanding charm of Chinese orchestra music: Ancient Chinese instruments speak in modern language

On Nov. 15, the concert "Then and Now: A Dialogue" will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, conducted by Mr. Chew Hee-chiat, Assistant Artistic Director and Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and also the Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Macao Chinese Orchestra.

Mr. Chew has developed a deep passion for music from a young age and formed a close bond with it. However, growing up in a traditional Malaysian family, his enthusiasm for music was not supported by his parents, who believed it was not a stable career path. As a result, he chose computer science as a "temporary compromise." "Music is always a part of my life," he says. Out of his love for music, Chew secretly decided to minor in music and later chose orchestral conducting for his graduate studies.

When asked about the challenges that many young people passionate about music face in pursuing their dreams, Chew encourages them to persist if they can find joy and meaning in music. He also mentions that the music industry now offers more stability for full-time professionals compared to before.

Chew describes the role of a conductor as somewhat like that of a magician—just a wave of the "magic wand" and the music happens. He also likens the conductor's role to that of a company's director, setting the direction and leading the musicians to interpret and perform the music written by the composer. Beyond that, throughout the performance, the conductor must connect with the musicians through changing gestures and constant adjustments, creating a sense of telepathy and achieving overall synergy.

Chew has a unique understanding of Chinese orchestra music. He describes it as "young," "modern," and "open," far from being as traditional as many might think. "Although it uses ancient Chinese instruments, it speaks in a modern language," he says. He believes that the development of young Chinese orchestra music, spanning less than a hundred years since the 1920s, holds great potential. It can collide and fuse with Western music or combine with various genres to create innovations.

These characteristics of Chinese orchestra music will be vividly showcased in the upcoming concerts that Chew will be conducting: the "Then and Now: A Dialogue" concert on Nov. 15 and the "Drum Festival" on Dec. 8.

The "Then and Now: A Dialogue" concert will feature renowned Chinese musician Ms. Gong Linna, who will use her uniquely expressive vocal techniques to perform the ancient guqin piece "Eighteen Variations on a Hu Pipe Melody". A dialogue between the Chinese yangqin and the Turkish kanun will also unfold, with plucking and trembling strings revealing key imagery from ancient Chinese Daoist philosophy. Additionally, the fusion of traditional Cantonese opera with modern jazz will breathe new life into Chinese orchestra music.

The essence of Chinese orchestra music continues to evolve and grow richer over time. At different stages of development, it presents itself in various forms, unfolding the idea of "connecting the ancient with the modern" through its charm.

Reported by Zoey Sun, Jack Wang

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