Chongqing - On the evening of December 15, the "Echoes of the East" Traditional Chinese Music Concert struck a chord with audiences at Queen's University Belfast's Harty Room. The event offered a vibrant journey through China's musical heritage, seamlessly blending timeless traditions with contemporary energy, and earned a warm, enthusiastic response from both Chinese and British attendees. Co-hosted by the Chongqing Asia-America-Europe Cultural Exchange and Development Centre and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) at Queen's University Belfast, the concert aimed to build cultural bridges through melody. It sought to strengthen cultural identity and confidence within the UK's Chinese community while fostering a deeper international appreciation for traditional Chinese music.
The "Echoes of the East" concert of traditional Chinese music was successfully held at Queen's University Belfast in the UK. (Photo/Wei Deng)
Centered on the theme of "Eastern Melody" and the poetic soul of Chinese music, the program showcased a diverse range of artistic forms. Audiences were treated to performances on traditional instruments like the guzheng, art songs based on classical Chinese poetry, classic pieces with distinct "Guo Feng" (Chinese traditional style) aesthetics, and two-piano adaptations drawing from ethnic epics and traditional cultural motifs. The concert successfully honored the core of Chinese musical culture while incorporating modern expressive elements, allowing ancient traditions to resonate with fresh vitality in a cross-cultural setting.
Chongqing guzheng artist Wei Deng took the stage to perform on the traditional Chinese instrument guzheng. (Photo/Wei Deng)
The performance brought together talented artists and scholars active in both Chinese and British music scenes. Chongqing guzheng artist Wei Deng moved the audience with her nuanced and expressive performance, showcasing the evocative power of traditional Chinese instrumentation. Through her strings, music served as a living bridge—allowing the culture of Chongqing and the broader Chinese heritage to take root and blossom overseas, inviting more people to understand China and making the name of Chongqing resonate in new, distant corners of the world. Yifan Shi, a PhD scholarship recipient in music education, presented Chinese musical material reimagined for the contemporary piano, both in solo and two-piano formats. Adding a special layer of cross-cultural dialogue, Professor Franziska Schroeder, an internationally renowned saxophonist from Queen's School of Arts, English and Languages, participated as a guest artist.
Artists from both China and the UK delivered captivating performances for the audience. (Photo/Wei Deng)
The atmosphere was electric, with the venue packed to capacity. Frequent applause and sustained, enthusiastic reactions followed numerous pieces, reflecting the audience's deep engagement. Held with the strong support of the Chinese Consulate General in Belfast, the event attracted a diverse crowd. Attendees included local musicians, artists, university faculty and students, as well as many members of the Chinese diaspora and business community living in Northern Ireland.