A befitting song for the times

Because of the upgraded stage facilities in the hall, Tan decided that the performance did not require microphones to amplify the sound following several rounds of tests.

"I want to present the most simple, authentic sound of all musical instruments including gongs and cellos and human voice," he said.

Tan created the work during his flight from New York, the United States, to Brussels, Belgium, in February.

"Reading the news about Wuhan's situation, I was in sorrow. Sitting in the middle of the plane, I clearly heard the roar of the engines outside the cabin. It was like a Wuhan gong whispering," Tan recalled.

"The city boasts the best gong production in the world. Wuhan gongs are often used by global symphony orchestras for performing classical music like German composer Ludwig Beethoven's Ode to Joy," he said.