NABC Chapter 287: 289: Guzheng
Chapter 287: 289: Guzheng
Chapter 287: Chapter 289: Guzheng
Zhang Xiaomei had simply come with the intention of seeing good-looking guys and girls; she wasn’t specifically there for Xiao Han. However, Guan Xiaotong was different, she had come solely because of Xiao Han. Thus, she was getting somewhat anxious. However, having heard Zhang Xiaomei’s comment, Guan Xiaotong decided to just relax and enjoy the program.
The performances at Shuimu University were indeed impressive; all the acts in the university evening gala had been carefully selected, and the performances were genuinely outstanding. The performers were highly skilled, and combined with the stage effects, the whole gala felt like a high-end event.
“Not bad, not bad!” Minister Liu clapped enthusiastically, saying, “Indeed, it’s really good! I never expected Shuimu University to have such a wealth of talent.”
“Indeed,” the director by his side quickly nodded and said, “It looks like we might have the possibility of choosing a program from here for the New Year’s gala.”
“Should we not select one or two programs properly?” Minister Liu chuckled and said, “Give these kids a chance to be on the big stage.”
“Yes!” The director nodded eagerly.
The programs at Shuimu University were indeed excellent. The students from the arts department were very skilled, but most importantly, they had great control over the stage and an excellent grasp of the pace, and they knew how to win over the audience. Thus, the entire gala was filled with continuous applause and laughter.
“Students, do you still remember that moving piano piece from the Finance Department?” the female host held the microphone, tranquil and composed.
The male host quickly followed on, “Yes, that touching ‘Searching for Her,’ it still resonates in my ears. I’ve been wondering what kind of emotions and mood the male student who composed it was in. I’m also very curious if there’s a hidden story behind this piece?”
“I’m curious too,” the female host smiled and said, “I thought Xiao Han would continue to present us with a stirring soul-touching piano piece. Unfortunately, I just received news that Xiao Han has made a change. He has decided to give up the piano, which he is best at, and today, he will bring us a moving Guzheng piece.”
Wow...
The audience burst into a murmur. Indeed, many people from the Finance Department had come specifically for Xiao Han. As a student from the Finance Department and the only participant from the department, Xiao Han naturally attracted a lot of attention. Of course, many also cherished his piano piece. Unexpectedly, Xiao Han had switched to a different performance that day, which surprised everyone.
“Guzheng?” Guan Xiaotong exclaimed, “That’s an incredibly challenging instrument.”
“Indeed!” Liu Bin nodded and said, “Moreover, Xiao Han has never played the Guzheng before. How... how is it that he’s now starting to play the Guzheng? This is the first time I’ve heard of it.”
“Now, please welcome Xiao Han to perform the Guzheng for us!” the host announced, and the curtain immediately closed.
Whirrr...
Following that, there was a wave of eager and urgent applause from the audience, as people clapped their hands.
Lan Yudie was also surprised; she hadn’t expected Xiao Han to switch to a Guzheng program at the last minute. This left Lan Yudie a bit perplexed, as there was a world of difference between the piano and the Guzheng. Xiao Han had never played the Guzheng before, and now he was supposed to perform it on stage—this sounded utterly preposterous!
“No, I need to talk to him!” Lan Yudie hurried to find Xiao Han. Even if Xiao Han was exceptionally talented, it was impossible for him to master the Guzheng playing techniques in just half a month, let alone master it enough to perform onstage.
Xiao Han had already changed into the attire he had brought with him, which was a light blue Hanfu with a fish-patterned jade pendant hanging at his waist. He held a fan in his hand, looking very dashing and ancient in his appeal.
With time’s passage, the 20th century saw the derivation of several other major schools from the Southern and Northern Zheng foundations, namely the “Chaozhou, Shandong, Henan, and Zhejiang” schools. In contemporary times, the distinctions among these schools have faded, with nearly every school incorporating the strengths of the others. They are generally divided into nine schools, as Cao Zheng said, “Nine schools flow through China,” each school’s Zheng music and playing methods having their own characteristics.
Xiao Han’s Guzheng playing could most likely be identified as representing the Northern Zheng.
Minister Liu closed his eyes in enjoyment, listening to the smooth music and savoring this rare moment. Minister Liu had some understanding of the Guzheng and could ascertain from Xiao Han’s playing technique that he represented the Northern Zheng style.
Xiao Han’s left-hand techniques such as sliding press, small tremolo, sliding tremolo, and large tremolo were quite distinctive.
In terms of fingering techniques, whether it was the polished and smooth long oscillations, intricately placed plucked tones, the desolate and dying wanderings, or the grand and desolate heavy tremolos, all merged seamlessly with the melody and emotions, depicting intricate expressions.
Thus, the venue was silent, everyone listening so intently as though they were intoxicated. Within the entire auditorium, silence reigned.
Only when the piece ended did Xiao Han stand up to bow.
“Xiao Han is really amazing,” Guan Xiaotong covered her red lips.
“Wow, that’s incredible!” Zhang Xiaomei shouted without any concern for her image.
Rustle rustle...
Immediately, the venue erupted with thunderous applause.
“Not bad!” Although Chen Aiguo did not understand art, that did not stop him from appreciating it. Everyone likes beautiful things, and everyone has eyes to see beauty. Chen Aiguo not only had eyes to see beauty but also ears to hear it.
“Principal Chen, this performance is great,” the Director of the Provincial TV Station quickly said, “I think this could be featured in the New Year’s Gala.”
“Really?” Chen Aiguo exclaimed, then said, “That’s great, just great!”
“First, this performance is innovative; it’s been a long time since we’ve seen a Guzheng-centered piece,” the Director excitedly said. “Moreover, the Guzheng itself is a treasure of our nation. If it could be showcased on screen, it would be a great benefit for the development of our cultural heritage.”
“Exactly, exactly!” Minister Liu, upon hearing this, hurriedly nodded and said, “That makes a lot of sense.”
Promoting cultural heritage is the pursuit of every artist, whether it be Minister Liu or the Director of the Provincial TV Station, as they both had certain pursuits in art. Therefore, they were even more willing to contribute to the nation and generate enthusiasm for their cultural heritage.
“Principal Chen, we need your help with this,” Director Zhang said cheerfully.
“What can I do to help?” Chen Aiguo asked curiously.
COMMENT
0 comment
Vote
3 left
SEND GIFT@@@@