Concert

The Guqin, China’s oldest plucked musical instrument, can be traced back to a three-thousand-year history according to the records of the classical poem “Shijing.” It embodies the refined aesthetics of Chinese culture and encompasses profound philosophy. In 2003, the art of Guqin playing was recognized by UNESCO and is a cherished treasure in the fabric of human civilization. The Guqin played by the artist dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is known for its crystal-clear, transparent sound. 

This concert guides through timeless pieces that blend tradition with contemporary expression, promoting a harmonious fusion of East and West. Future chapters will combine ancient traditions with cutting-edge surround sound technology, enriching the listening experience. The performance highlights an enduring blend of traditional elements and innovative expressions.

Music Pieces:

1. Celestial Joy (6 min.)

2. Flowing Water (9 min.)

3. Beautiful Night (6 min.)

4. Evening Song of the Drunken Fisherman (6 min.)

5. Smoothly Spring (6 min.)

6. Zhuang Zhou’s Butterfly Dream (7 min.)

7. Heteromorphism (8 min.)

8. Without Origin and Destination (9 min.)

9. Ink Echo (8 min.)

Artists’ short bios

Cheng Hongyu is a Guqin player and a guest professor of Guqin at Southwest University in Chongqing, China. She resides in both Germany and China and is actively engaged as an “Artist in Residence” in Dongbuzhou. She received her musical education at Nanjing University of the Arts, where she studied under the guidance of her father, Professor Cheng Gongliang, a Guqin master and composer. Starting to play the Guqin at the age of 7, she was encouraged by her father to preserve and share the Chinese musical tradition. Later, she studied musicology in Germany, developing a versatile perspective on music. Her calm and atmospheric playing style has been recognized with numerous awards, including inclusion in the Bestenliste der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik for her album “Immanence.” Cheng Hongyu also serves as a co-producer for the label “Paranojazz-Record.”

Rainer Granzin is a versatile German jazz pianist, organist, composer, and producer who has collaborated with musicians worldwide since 1992, developing an innovative listening style. He composes music ranging from solo piano to orchestral works for stage, film, and theater. He independently oversees all his recent productions in his own recording studio and under his own label, Paranojazz-Records. Granzin can be heard on over 40 CD releases, whether solo, with his ensemble, or as a guest musician. His recent compositions include works like “When Will the Moon Come” and “Song of Water,” showcasing his broad musical talent. Granzin’s body of work also includes film scores, including soundtracks for documentary series like “Legends of Industry” and the film “Matteo Ricci.” In 2020, he received a guest professorship at Southwest University in Chongqing, China. His trilogy “Immanence,” released on CD in collaboration with Cheng Hongyu, was honored in 2022 in the World Music category by the German Schallplattenkritik. Currently, he is active as an “Artist in Residence” in Dongbuzhou, China.

Tan Jingang, Associate Professor at Sichuan Conservatory of Music, specializes in composition and composition technology theory. He has been dedicated to the creation and theoretical research of contemporary music for an extended period.