On September 24, “A string to feel the coming autumn: a Guqin experience” was held at the Wanlin Art Museum of Wuhan University.

The venue

The Autumn Equinox, which is the 16th solar term among the 24 solar terms, marks the start of cooler weather, when autumn colors begin to spread out their palette of yellow and red shades. To welcome the upcoming beautiful autumn days and embrace the season’s atmosphere, many like-minded friends from universities and institutions across the city were invited to gather for a special traditional Chinese music concert.

The Guqin (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) performance was divided into different parts with the first one themed ‘Autumn’. Zhang Zheng from the Yunzai Guqin Club of Wuhan University performed a famous Chinese Guqin song, ‘Wild Geese Descending upon the Sand’. The song depicts a peaceful and picturesque scene: dusk approaching from the vast, misty Dongting Lake, with white sands on the shore glistening like snow.

Zhang Zheng plays ‘Wild Geese Descending upon the Sand’

A flock of wild geese has come from afar, hovering and chirping in the air. First, only a few land on the white sand. They look up, echo with their companions in the air, and soon the geese in the air gather their wings and descend upon the sand. From afar, the geese, the sand banks, and the water’s waves gradually seem to fall asleep in the deepening dusk. The artistic conception of this piece was vast and tranquil, yet full of vitality, immersing the audience in a strong autumnal atmosphere.

Audience listens attentively

Having created this intoxicating autumn atmosphere, the concert proceeded to explore the following themes.

Performance of the piece ‘Water’

The piece ‘Water’, suggests clear springs meandering between strange peaks and rocks, trickling down slowly here and rapidly there. In the piece ‘Moon’, the tranquility of the moonlit night allows the audience to understand and sympathize with the poet’s solitude.

Performance of the piece ‘Moon’

Guqin and Xiao ensemble

In addition to the appealing Guqin performances, the event also included interesting quizzes about the Guqin and lantern riddles. Students actively participated in these and deepened their understanding of the Guqin, adding an educational dimension to the event.

Students actively answer questions about the Guqin

At the end of this event, Bao Liheng brought the audience a classic song called ‘Three Plum Blossom Stanzas’. It is thought that during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, musician Huan Yi played this piece three times for Wang Huizhi, the son of the renowned calligrapher Wang Xizhi. In the absence of words, their silent exchange was a beautiful testament to their shared passion.

Bao Liheng plays ‘Three Plum Blossom Stanzas’

This gathering was a reminder of the enduring truth that bonds are often forged through shared interests. It endowed the participants with a chance to appreciate ancient music, acquire knowledge and experience traditional Chinese culture in anticipation of the upcoming autumn with excitement.

Photos by Lin Yangjie

Edited by Li Tong, Li Jing, Su Xinyue, Cao Hangqian, Wen Xin, Sylvia, Xi Bingqing