Chinese <EM>guqin </EM>graces international musical instrument expo -Chinaculture.org

Zhao Jiazhen performs Chinese guqin during the China International Musical Instruments Expo and the second Belt and Road Commercial and Cultural Exchange Forum held in Bengbu city, East China's Anhui province, from Dec 1 to 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"This is a musical instrument that can be dated back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The Chinese zither, or quqin in Chinese, is made by the traditional Chinese silk," said Zhao Jiazhen, a renowned Chinese guqin performer and musical instrument collector, adding that "and I truly hope that each listener can hear the sound that comes from a thousand years ago."

Renowned as the "world top-class guqin perfromer" by New York Times, Zhao played the classic masterpiece Pingsha Luoyan (平沙落雁) during the China International Musical Instruments Expo and the second Belt and Road Commercial and Cultural Exchange Forum held in Bengbu city, East China's Anhui province, from Dec 1 to 2.

A well variety of musical instruments have been displayed during the China International Musical Instruments Expo and the second Belt and Road Commercial and Cultural Exchange Forum held in Bengbu city, East China's Anhui province, from Dec 1 to 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Over 50 ambassadors and envoys from more than 30 countries, together with directors and representatives from over 30 business associations both at home and abroad, participated in the forum.

During the expo, music once again became a link, connecting countries with different cultures. Local authorities said music was the most intimate and vivid language, which could break through the barriers of different national boundaries, races and minds.

Chinese guqin has traditionally been favored by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Azerbaijani Ambassador in Beijing Akram Zeynalli echoed the view, and said, "I really want to see what Chinese ancient instruments look like, and I want to hear the sound of the ancient guqin.”

The quqin played by Zhao was the highlight of the expo as it has more than 100-year-old history and marvellous sound. The local authorities told media that the quqin is seldom shown to the general public as it needs a lot of maintence.

According to Zhao, guqin has a history of more than 3,700 years. Together with Se, another Chinese plucked zither, they are the representative of China's ancient scholar culture. At present, the earliest guqin seen on the market was produced in the Tang Dynasty. The most common ones are made during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

"The invaluable guqin is made of bronze wood, a kind of ancient hardwood. And It is fantastic to use this material to make the guqin, but the kind of wood has already been extinct," said Zhao, adding that "guqin made of this wood cannot make voice at the beginning stage. It takes more than 100 years' maintenance to make the quqin make the first sound."

Guqin, a traditional Chinese instrument, is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family. It has been played since ancient times, and has traditionally been favored by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement.

Chinese guqin has traditionally been favored by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]