MSL Performing Arts

The music of is truly one of a kind. This concert will touch the heart and soul; Demonstrating variations of rhythm, tone, ornamentation and composition played with exquisite style and technique.

This is a rare chance to witness the beautiful music that comes from the ancient instruments guzheng, pipa, erhu and bamboo flute, which has been carefully refined over thousands of years.

 “The best Chinese music is still largely undiscovered by the west. Although Chinese cuisine, circus and martial arts are better promoted internationally China has a great deal to offer the music connoisseur. Our  carefully selected pieces offer an alluring and enchanting experience that will charm the western ear ”

                          -- Liu Li Concert Director

“A musical Chinese feast for sure…haunting melodies mixing passionate expressiveness with technical mastery. The emotional range and variety of tunes will really raise eyebrows… A concert to provide inspiration and pleasure to musicians, composers and music lovers everywhere, a real treat. ”

                          -– Warren Deer (Culture Critic)

 A Brief taste:

二泉映月Reflection of the Moon in the Pond

春江花月夜Spring River Blossom Moon Night

The concert will be performed at the following venues:

Birmingham Conservatoire  Saturday 13^th Feb   www.birminghamboxoffice.com

Aberystwyth Arts Centre  Sunday 14^th Feb  www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/

London St. John Concert Hall (Near Westminster Abbey)Tuesday 16^th Feb www.sjss.org.uk

Swansea Grand Theatre Thursday 18^th Feb www.swanseagrand.co.uk

Eastbourne Congress Theatre Friday 19^th Feb www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

About the promoter

Ms-L Performing Arts Exchange

The informative leaflet can be downloaded from  www.ms-L.co.uk/production.htm

The following are the programmes for the concert

春江花月夜 Spring River Blossom Moon Night

Ancient Music

Dated: Ming Dynasty 14^th Century

梁祝Butterfly Lovers

Composed in 1959 by Nanjing Music Group

Inspired by an old Chinese love story. Due to an arranged marriage, a young couple could not fulfil their love when they were alive. They were reincarnated as butterflies free to love each other for ever.

秦川抒怀The Air of Qin River

Compiled by Ma Di

Based on material drawn from the repertoire of the Shan-xi Opera. The piece is lyrical and imbued with the spirit of Northwest China.

二泉映月Reflection of the Moon in the Pond

Composed by Ar Bin in 1950

The piece has topped the Chinese music chart in both the USA and Germany.

渔舟唱晚The Song of Fishing Boats at Sunset

Composed by Lou Shi-hua (1907-1952)

A song expressing the beauty of the southern Yangzi river landscape.

阳关三叠Yang-guan Faraway

Ancient music

Dates from the Tang Dynasty (618 ---907AD). Inspired by Wang Wei’s poem about a good friend who was leaving their hometown.  The popular line goes: 劝君更进一杯酒，西出阳关无故人 ‘ Have another drink my dear friend, you will see no more familiar faces  after departing Yang-guan inn.’

彝族舞曲Dance Tune of the Yi People

Composed by Wang Hui-ran in 1965

Along with the Han people China consists of 55 distinct minorities. Yi people is one of them based in Yunnan province, south west China. This piece is composed for festival occasion.

赛马Horse Racing

Composed by Huang Hai-huai in 1959

良宵New Year Eve Tune

Composed by Liu Tian-hua in 1927

It was created on the spot when his friends visited him for the new year festival gathering.

战台风Against Typhoon

Composed by Wang Cang-yuan in 1965

A vibrant piece using the full range of the Guzheng ability to portray the come and go of the mighty typhoon.

高山流水Lofty Mountain and Running Water

Ancient Music

Dates from 475-221 BC. It was based on a story that went back before the first emperor Qin. It goes like this, a musician was playing, an audience could tell what was in the player’s mind, either about a lofty mountain or running water, soon the two people become great friends. The term ‘Lofty mountain and Running Water’ has entered the language as a Chinese idiom meaning to seek congenial friends.

荫中鸟Birds Shading in the Trees

Composed by Liu Guan-yue

梅花三弄Three Variations on the Plum Blossom

Ancient music

Originated during the East Jin Dynasty  316-420 AD. A clear and unchained melodic theme is repeated three times in different parts of this memorable piece. Illustrating the purity of plum flowers and their heroic fight to survive against the cold weather.

十面埋伏Ambushed

Ancient music

Dates from the Tang Dynasty (772—846). Illustrates the major phases during ancient war, such as commanding, lining up, marching towards, fighting against, ambushed and at last, coming back or dying  in triumph or defeat.

节日的天山Festival at Tian Mountain

Compiled by Gio Ming-qin

 Tian Mountian is in the west of China, North of Tibet. Populated by  Xing Jiang people, who are famed for their singing and dancing.

旱天雷Thunder without Rain

Compiled by Qiu He-chou in 1921

A representative piece of Cantonese music, originating in South East China, Guangdong province, where Hong Kong sets in.

茉莉花Jasmine

Compiled by He Fang

Emblematic of Chinese folk music. The piece comes with lyric and has been frequently used in many international events.

彩云追月Colour Clouds Run after the Moon

Composed by Ren Guang and Nie Er in 1936

喜洋洋Beaming with Joy

Composed by Liu Ming-yuan in 1958

One of the pieces specially composed for Chinese New Year.