Musician mixes tradition in combining East and West
Ancient Chinese instrument revives classical French pieces, Chen Nan reports.
In a harmonious fusion of the East and the West, Chinese guzheng (ancient zither) virtuoso Chang Jing captivates audiences worldwide with her unique style. Last December, commissioned by streaming service Apple Music, Chang adapted three of Claude Debussy's enchanting compositions: Reverie (Daydream), Clair de Lune (Moonlight) and Reflets dans l'eau (Reflections in the Water).
The adaptations allowed Chang to have a spiritual dialogue with the French composer, who was influenced by the beauty of Eastern culture.
Early this year, Chang adapted music pieces from two other French composers: Erik Satie and Maurice Ravel.
The adaptations turned out to be three parts of Chang's upcoming new album Red White Blue, which was released on Friday — the same day of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
She named each of the three French composers' works as colors of the French national flag: Ravel is red, Debussy is white and Satie is blue.
Known for its delicate tones and rich history, the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, might seem an unlikely one to interpret the works of renowned French composers. However, Chang's mastery transcends cultural boundaries, demonstrating the universal language of music. Her musical explorations exemplify the transformative power of creativity and cross-cultural dialogue through music.
