Twelve sounds drummed out for a city in distress
By Chen Nan | China Daily | Updated: 2020-03-21 09:39
Percussion instruments from Wuhan have been in the spotlight recently, with the celebrated composer Tan Dun premiering his latest work, 12 Sounds of Wuhan, during a concert in Belgium by the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra on Feb 15.
Tan wrote the piece especially for the concert in Antwerp's Queen Elisabeth Hall, held in support of those suffering from the novel coronavirus. The performance paired 12 gongs made in Wuhan with the orchestra, which Tan conducted.
"In the music world we all knew of the city of Wuhan long before COVID-19," Tan wrote on his official website about the new piece.
"It's where Wuhan gongs are from. Together with the orchestra and the public in Antwerp I want to reflect on our physical vulnerability, express my condolences to the victims of the coronavirus and thank the scientists, doctors and governments for their efforts."
Percussion musical instruments made in Wuhan date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). One of the best-known gong makers is Gaohongtai, founded in the city in 1914. In 2007 Hubei province listed the company's artisanship as an intangible cultural heritage.
"Gongs made by Gaohongtai connect Wuhan with the world's top symphony orchestras such as the Berliner Philharmoniker and Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra because they use gongs made in Wuhan, a newspaper in the city, Chutian Metro Daily, said.