To get deeply immersed in a foreign culture is no picnic, especially for foreigners who wish to appreciate Chinese artworks with extensive and often profound meanings. However, this miracle happened in the old library of Wuhan University (WHU) where the “Famous Masterpiece Recitals” was held on 29 November. In this show, more than 20 classical works, including ancient and modern Chinese poems, traditional and international essays, were recited by famous artists, greatly touching the audience no matter where they came from.

The artists

The most moving programs that night may be the recital of Manjianghong, an ancient poem written by the famous Chinese general Yue Fei to express his devotion for his homeland, and Yuemucizi, a story about Yue Fei’s mother tattooing on his back the phrase “Jing Zhong Bao Guo” (repay the country with supreme loyalty) to remind him about absolute allegiance to his country. For Chinese soldiers in ancient times, the battlefield seemed to be the only place worth sacrificing their own lives at. However, Yue Fei lost his life due to some fabricated charges trumped up by his enemy in court. The heroism behind the tragedy has been eulogized for nearly a thousand years. Many of the audience shed tears, especially when they heard the sentence “I will devote myself to protect my country, even if this will cost my life.” They could not help feeling pitiful yet powerless about the ending of Yue Fei.

Liu Jihong reciting Manjianghong

Although many foreign guests in the audience had never heard of the deeds of Yue Fei and some of them could not even understand Chinese very well, they did not hesitate to appreciate these two programs. The two artists, Hong Yun and Liu Jihong, vividly illustrated Yue Fei’s determination, dignity and devotion for his country as well as his mother’s love and hope through each of their expressions and gestures, and through their voices and intonations. “I am deeply touched. Their performance is so excellent. They must be very experienced artists to create such tension.” said Ayrton, an international student from Angola.

Hong Yun and Liu Jihong reciting Yuemucizi

Some young artists also brought the audience their rendition of ancient Chinese artworks. Among the famous love stories in China, the story of Lu You, the prominent poet, and his wife Tang Wan is rather special. Their heartbreaking love story was witnessed by two poems and a garden. The two loved each other but were forced to separate due to the opposition of their families. Several years later, when they met each other in Shenyuan Garden, recalling their previous happy times and subsequent endless pity, each of them wrote a poem named Chaitoufeng (Phoenix hairpin) on the wall of the garden. Chaitoufeng then became a synonym for “thwarted love”, used to describe a couple in love that cannot stay together. Young artists He Kaipeng and Bai Beibei recited the two poems. They conveyed the emotions of love and sorrow naturally and convincingly, since they themselves were lovers. “Luckily, their story is a happy one.” The host introduced.

The audience

Apart from recitals of famous masterpieces, instrumental performances also caught eyes. Mr. Zhang Yongzhi and Ms. Lin Jun co-performed a famous piece of Peking Opera called Zhidou in which they mixed songs with Leiqin, one kind of bowed instrument that could imitate the human voice. The use of an instrument to sing opera amazed the audience. “It’s so cool,” said a student. The other program was to present three people’s squabble through the means of traditional Chinese instruments. Liu Tongchun, a famous concert performer used three different instruments--the suona horn, the Ka and the Kawan, to distinguish the three characters. Their marvelous performances earned them warm applause from the audience.

Liu Tongchun playing a traditional Chinese instrument

Songs were also heard during the show. Since classical Chinese poems are actually lyrics whose original melodies have been lost, modern musicians matched them with melodies based on their own understanding. The most well-known piece is the modern version of When the moon is here written by Su Shi. “This is my favorite song”, said Ms. Xiao, a teacher working in the old library. “The rendition of Deng Lijun used to be my favorite when I was young.” In this show the song was sung by Duan Xiaotong, a student of WHU.

Duan Xiaotong singing When the moon is here

The theme of show may be rooted in Chinese culture, yet it still had its universal appeal even for those who did not understand the Chinese language very well. “I could get the message of inheriting and developing Chinese culture. China is a beautiful country. Even though I could not understand every single word that people said, through their voices, I can tell the emotions they are trying to deliver. I think that is really powerful.” Said Makisa, an American girl who spoke little Chinese.

At about 20:00, with the last performance of Ode to the motherland, a song expressing love for one’s homeland, the “Famous Masterpiece Recitals” drew its close, leaving boundless love and unforgettable memories to the audience.

(Photo by Wu Jiamin, Edited by Li Minjia, Wu Siying, Edmund Wai Man Lai and Hu Sijia)