Lunar New Year concert celebrates beauty of Chinese music

Physically, the musicians and audience were gathered inside Cook Recital Hall at Michigan State University for the fifth annual Lunar New Year Celebration Concert on Sunday afternoon. 

Spiritually, they were elsewhere. They were roaming through Chinese nature, experiencing the beauty of Chinese contemporary music. 

Guest performer Haiqiong Deng led the performance, showcasing traditional Zheng and Qin traditions. 

The Zheng or Guzheng, is a 21-string Chinese plucked zither with 2,500 years of tradition. This instrument produces a clear, vibrant sound, capable of performing both delicate and dynamic pieces. 

The Quin or Guquin, is a seven-stringed Chinese zither. It is more of a sagely instrument, with tradition leading back to 3,000 years. With a deep and elegant sound, the rich nature of the instrument creates contemporary and poetic melodies. 

Both instruments are the central to Chinese musical culture, carrying immense symbolic weight.

“I’m so honored to be here,” Deng said. “The audience, all the musicians, faculties are so supportive. They’re so well prepared and work so hard. We’ve had a great time, and it’s such a tremendous pleasure.”

Deng’s program, “Nature, Music and Convergence,” illustrates the traditions of the instruments through solo and collective requiems, performed with a chamber ensemble of MSU student musicians playing the flute, clarinet, violin, cello and percussion along, with a piano duet with associate professor Young Hyun Cho. 

“The Fragrance of Jasmine,” “Flowing Water” and “Moon Phase” were included in the repertoire, giving guests an immersive experience of Chinese nature. Every pull on the string was another note of vivid imagery Deng was conveying. Deng’s own composition, “Memory,” meant to represent life and introspection, was also featured.

“I tried to introduce as many aspects of culture [Chinese music] as possible, not only from the tradition but from cross-cultural contemporary music elements, and distinguish the guzheng and the guqin from other music traditions,” Deng explained.

The contemporary music elements that Deng emphasized showcasing for the audience struck the hearts of many. In attendance were students and members of the MSU community.

Yizhou Liu, a zoology senior, came to the event after finding the event through the College of Music and has been celebrating the Lunar New Year.

“My favorite part was the contemporary music that was in the last part of the concert,” Liu said. 

Overall, the concert was a success, director and associate professor of violin Yvonne Lam said, and the concert resulted as a ‘joyous celebration.’

This year’s concert marks the second year that Deng has performed at MSU. However, this concert was more unique than others in the past because it was the first time that the guest performer had led the entire concert. 

“This event is a great way to discover music you haven’t heard before, and today is unique because we incorporated traditional Chinese Instruments,” Lam said. “This event is a great way to broaden your musical horizons.”