Guqin melodies enchant Beijing concertgoers

The Sound of the Heart in the Fingers: A Concert of Yushan Wu School Guqin Music took place at Beijing Concert Hall on Sept 13, under the artistic direction of renowned guqin (Chinese seven-stringed zither) master Wu Wenguang.

The concert featured top Chinese guqin performers from the Yushan Wu School — appearing alongside young players — presenting 10 pieces that highlighted the school's blend of tradition and modernity.

Originating from Changshu, Jiangsu province, the Yushan Wu School was founded by guqin master Yan Tianchi, who emphasized a "clear and subtle" style. Wu Jinglue, Wu Wenguang's father, further developed this into a modern performance system. Today, Wu Wenguang and his disciples continue to innovate within this tradition, creating a unique voice in guqin music.

The concert opened with The Wandering Waves, performed by guqin virtuoso Gao Xinran and pianist Wang Jue, creating a serene dialogue between the instruments. Wu Zhao followed with Memory of an Old Friend, featuring delicate musical notes.

A highlight was the premiere of Yellow Crane Tower, composed by Wu Ye, Wu Wenguang's daughter, which combined vocals, guqin and flute to evoke the imagery of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Cui Hao's famous poem.

Sun Haopeng's Guangling San brought powerful, heroic tones, while Huang Mei's Ode to the Night used intricate plucks to mimic birdcalls. The concert concluded with Li Pengpeng and Li Li's guqin and harp duet, Plum Blossom Three Variations, a tribute to the winter flower's beauty.

This concert concluded a series at Beijing Concert Hall themed around the dialogue between traditional and contemporary music, showcasing the evolution of Chinese music and the collaboration between seasoned musicians and emerging talents.