Music Talks

4.9 (7)
MUSIC

Feast your ears on the musical classics of the east with MUSIC TALKS, the Middle Kingdom’s mashup of classical music and in-depth discussions with some of China’s most celebrated orchestral professionals. Experience the instruments, get some perspective, feel the pulse of antiquity.

SEP 27

Jazz beyond borders

Huang Ye is an innovative Jazz musician and music director at the Lincoln Center Shanghai. It won't be surprising to hear segments in his music reflecting the clamor of horns beeping during rush hour or a tiger's mighty roar. The 26-year-old artist once composed 24 works within one single month, but it took him more than a decade to find all the motifs he needed to create them. Let's find out how Huang has been devoting himself to transcending cultural barriers and incorporating diverse cultures into his music.

30 min
SEP 13

Shaun Gibson: "What I put into music is my true story"

Shaun Gibson is a British singer and songwriter who weaves his narratives into music. His music is so catchy that it often goes around in listeners' heads once they hear it. He represents the distinctiveness of the instruments from the East to make them accessible and appealing. In this episode, we're thrilled to get up-close with Shaun Gibson who has been immersing himself in the rich tapestry of Chinese music and culture to discover inspiration in every corner of the country.

41 min
AUG 2

Behind the lyrics: A French singer’s journey of writing Chinese songs

Christophe Hisquin is a French singer and songwriter who has been devoting himself to making both Chinese and French songs. Better known as Dantes in music industry, the artist creates music that transcends cultural barriers. In this episode, we'll delve into his musical journey and explore how his career has been shaped within the Chinese music industry.

33 min
JUN 21

East Meets West: Explore the Sheng in "Phenomena"

In this episode, we will explore "Phenomena," a Sheng concerto commissioned by China’s NCPA Orchestra. The program features European composer Bernd Richard Deutsch, Sheng virtuoso Wu Wei, and NCPA Orchestra’s Head of Artistic Planning, Tang Ning. They discuss the ancient Chinese mouth organ, the Sheng, and its unique integration into Western classical music.

33 min
JUN 7

Strings of time: Reviving the ancient zither

Ancient instruments are symbolic cultural relics, and people can get a glimpse of the culture and traditions behind their unique sounds. In this episode, Zhang Xuguang, a zither and bowed instrument performer with the China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe, join us to explore the captivating story behind the revival of the soulful sound of a seven-stringed zither whose melody has resonated across a millennium.

29 min
MAY 23

Echoes of the Tibetan fiddle

Embark on a captivating journey with Gesang Norbu, who has been pursuing his passion for the Tibetan fiddle despite tough challenges and discouraging voices from his family. When he finally brought his instrument into the limelight, he returned to his hometown with a resolute commitment to spread his love of the fiddle among the younger generations.

34 min
MAY 4

A Fusion of East and West

A recent concert titled "The Song of Xianghe", meaning a harmonic blend, is considered a fusion of Eastern and Western culture. In this episode, we will delve into the collaboration, and find out why Chinese flutist Zhang Weiliang believes his instrument is able to represent the Chinese spirit and people, and discover how Chinese music speaks to French harpist Celine Goudour.

22 min
APR 16

The Flying Dutchman: Igniting China-Germany cultural fusion through Wagner

In April of 2024, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, China, presented German composer Richard Wagner’s enduring and epic opera "The Flying Dutchman". The production received enormous acclaim from Chinese audiences for its spectacular stage design and masterful performances. In this special episode of Music Talks, we will talk with conductor of the performance Marcus Bosch, bass-baritone Ólafur Sigurdarson, and Ms. Wei Lanfen, Director of the Production Department of the NCPA. Let’s dive into the world of Wagner's timeless masterpiece "The Flying Dutchman".

27 min

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TRAILER

Trailer: Hangzhou Rendezvous, a journey of a lifetime!

Words from Chinese ancient poems... Captivating notes in Chinese traditional music... A symphony of culture and history that will touch your heart and stir your soul... Will Hangzhou, the heart of China's poetic heritage, now a city of sportsmanship and unity, leave you inspired and enchanted？ Join the Hangzhou Rendezvous with Music Talks on Mid-Autumn Day, to appreciate the serene beauty described in legends, the natural wonder and perfect harmony of tradition and modernity. Hangzhou Rendezvous, a journey of a lifetime!

09/25/2023

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1 min

4.9

out of 5

7 Ratings

Wow give it a try

12/05/2022

grneies

Light in the darkness was a huge surprize for me. Last review say if you liks classical you will like this podcast. Well I was just treated too some fine rock music with beautiful guitar work. the arrangements will blow your mind. Incredible.
Love it

06/24/2020

Hanalan727

I would recommend anyone who loves classic music should listen to this!
Great Program

11/10/2019

Milesdidit

As a native-born Chinese,I fell in love with Chinese tradition music via an English podcast program even though it sounds wired. Looking forward to hearing the new updates.

Feast your ears on the musical classics of the east with MUSIC TALKS, the Middle Kingdom’s mashup of classical music and in-depth discussions with some of China’s most celebrated orchestral professionals. Experience the instruments, get some perspective, feel the pulse of antiquity.