Guzheng and classical guitar have very different styles, but under the fingers of Xia Jing and Hu Bin, an overseas Chinese couple living in the United States, the two have achieved cross-cultural communication and integration.

The moving music of strings comes from the heart

In 2016, Xia Jing and Hu Bin established the "Dongfeng Guzheng Guitar Duo". "East" refers to the east, and "wind" is taken from the "Book of Songs", symbolizing a formless power that spreads hope. They hope to tell Chinese stories through their works, highlight the beauty of Chinese folk music, show the integration and dialogue between Chinese and Western music and art from a new perspective, and bring the voice of "Dongfeng" to the world audience.

Xia Jing is a guzheng player from Wuhan, Hubei Province, and has won the "Golden Bell Award for Chinese Music". Hu Bin is a classical guitar player, originally from Tianjin, and won the "David Russellbach Award". This year, the couple was awarded the title of the 15th "Top Ten Chinese Outstanding Young People in the United States", which is an affirmation of their innovation in art forms and the spread of Chinese folk music over the years.

In 2005, Hu Bin was admitted to the Estonian National Academy of Music and Drama, and started a 10-year study abroad career. On the road of creation and study, he never stopped thinking about his father and his hometown. He said: "I was influenced by my father to learn classical guitar since I was a child. He was my first teacher. Unfortunately, my father died of illness when I was 14 years old. This sudden blow made me realize the impermanence of life. It also made me determined to use music to find the meaning of life.”

When she left home when she was young, music also became a way for Xia Jing to miss her hometown. In 2014, after graduating from the China Conservatory of Music with a master's degree, Xia Jing went to the Confucius Institute at the University of Arizona as a folk music teacher. She said: "In class, I will introduce the touching stories behind each guzheng piece to the students. Whether it's the sympathy of 'Bo Ya Ziqi's meeting with a bosom friend', or Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun' playing the qin , Talking and writing about the touching love of the heart is a part of my heart that is hard to let go. Whenever I pluck the strings of my hand, I feel as if I have returned to the pavilions and pavilions of my hometown, the ordinary alleys, and the beauty in my memory will never go away.”

Hand in hand to perform communication between China and foreign countries

Many pieces of "Dongfeng Guzheng Guitar Duet" are based on Chinese folklore.

Xia Jing introduced: ""The Journey of Zhong Kui" originated from the legend 'Zhong Kui catches a ghost'. Although Zhong Kui looks ugly, he is upright and full of knowledge, and is one of the representatives of Chinese folklore. "Mulan" is taken from the heroine Hua Mulan. The story of her father joining the army, her perseverance and courage symbolize the awakening of women's power. We commissioned the French composer Du Preci to compose the zither and guitar for these two pieces, telling Chinese stories from different cultural perspectives. Such cross-cultural cooperation not only It retains the artistic essence of Chinese culture and reflects the unique charm of the fusion of different cultures. It is the artistic expression form we have been pursuing.

Hu Bin believes that the premise of cross-cultural music exchange is mutual understanding and appreciation, so as to open up a creative dialogue.

Hu Bin said: "To this end, we hosted and planned the 'Embrace Tradition, Build Unity' Asia-Pacific Traditional Concert last year, hoping to use music to convey the common emotions of mankind and gather the strength of unity between different cultures. The performers include Japanese shakuhachi artists, Korean gaya players, and Indian tabla drum performers. Even though many artists have never lived before, they all use music to express their awe for traditional culture and their desire for cross-cultural communication. Today , under the influence of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, we need to seek common ground while reserving differences, work together, and promote the exchange and mutual learning of different cultures, so as to gather the strength to move forward. Therefore, this concert is not only an artistic exchange, but also a collision of souls.”

Xia Jing also believes that art has the charm of transcending language and transcending borders. She said: "I used to be the artistic director of the Zizhu Chinese Music Ensemble at the University of Arizona. The orchestra connects teachers and students from different cultural backgrounds and regularly organizes activities such as 'Elegant Collection' to provide members with a place to appreciate, communicate, and perform in China. The art platform of traditional music encourages students to share their musical insights with an inclusive and open attitude, creating a harmonious and different artistic atmosphere. I really enjoy the process of rehearsing performances and experiencing music with the students, and I also strive to create for students Opportunity to perform on stage. Because performance and practice feel completely different, only by going through the whole process of bowing, sitting down, playing the piano and curtain call can students truly develop their love and respect for the stage and bring the audience a shocking artistic experience.”

Fusion of East and West inspires resonance

The styles and means of expression of Eastern and Western music are very different, and it is not easy to integrate the two.

Hu Bin believes: "Western music has a very rigorous harmony and polyphony structure, while Chinese music pays more attention to the expression of melody and rhythm, and the styles of the two are completely different. Our cross-cultural creation was once faced with doubts, but we always believe that, No culture in the world exists in isolation, and Eastern and Western music cultures also share commonalities. Therefore, cross-cultural creation requires us to deeply understand the ideological core and artistic style of the two cultures, find the intersection, and select appropriate repertoires to integrate the two. In the ensemble, in order to maximize the timbre of the guzheng, we will choose pieces that include the pentatonic scale, use the harmony of classical guitars to pave the way for the melody of the guzheng, and add Chinese-style modifiers in time to make the music more varied and vivid. nature."

"Kung fu pays off, our works have been praised by many musicians, composers and critics around the world. Although they do not know the guzheng, they are attracted by its classical charm and artistic tension, and are curious about this ancient Chinese instrument. I hope that my performance will not only bring a novel musical experience to foreign audiences, but also give them emotional shock and spiritual comfort. In 2016, I performed a piece of "Clouds V." with the orchestra at the Centennial Hall of the University of Arizona. Euphemistically, like weeping, it stops abruptly where it is excited, and it breaks clouds and rocks where there is no sound. Many audiences are so fascinated by it that they even burst into tears, finding emotions across languages and cultures in the music. Resonate. This makes me very happy." Xia Jing said.

Hu Bin believes: "At present, the overseas music market is still dominated by Western art forms such as string music, chamber music, symphony and opera. This requires us to organize more Chinese folk music lectures, concerts and workshops, and learn from other music creatively. Form, and constantly enhance the international influence of Chinese traditional music. "The sea is open to all rivers, and tolerance is great". Excellent music creators are not only the inheritors of traditional music, but also the pioneers of national music. We must be open and inclusive. Broaden the boundaries of traditional Chinese music, stimulate the infinite possibilities of creation, tell Chinese stories with music, and let the world listen to the voice of China!"