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From: Chu, Edward S
Date: 2003年09月19日 上 04:42:56
To: 'tungshen@ccms.ntu.edu.tw'
Subject: NTU Performance at LA
Re: NTU Performance at San Gabriel Civic Auditorium Aug 30, 03
Dear Madam/Sir,
First, I had the privilege to attend this excellent culture and musical event.
I attended with my good friend Dr. Shean Chang who will also give an account
of his impression on his own.
Second, I am musically inclined but no expert at the instruments. I listen to
a wide rang of music - European classical, folk songs of all origins,
instruments of all designs. A great deal of my enjoyment comes from not
necessary the music itself but how the music intertwines with the people,
culture and history. Good music must reflect humanity and have the imprints
of Sociology and Anthropology agenda. The power or the "CHI" of the music
comes from the what do you have to say, when you say it, to whom you say it,
where you say it, how you say it, and what you do not say.
This is the vantage where that I will speak from.
Thirdly, I was told tha it is your first abroad performance in the 50 years.
It is a mile stone to be commanded. My comments are meant to be taken
positively in my opinion on how to instill more soul into an excellent
performance and production. The factor which is to elevate your next trip to
the greatness.
●Over-use and miss-use of amplification destroys the transcendence of the
instruments. This is specially destructive in the Swallow Concerto.
If mic must be used, instead of electronic pick-up, try a good cardio
patterned acoustic mic away from the soloing instrument.
●The sitting position is still the most expressive for the Er-Hu playing
which is leveraged at the "dan tien". The stand up playing like violin
and even jazz guitar lose too much in the expressiveness and the element
of "Chi". The Swallow Concerto calls for a more sensitive projection
rather than the walk-about presentation assimilating the rock guitarist
which appears loud and overly energetic. Unless the arranger has the new
ager in mind. In this case he has used the wrong instrument and wrong
tool.
●The soloists and conductor dressed in tails and gowns. It is interesting
that it is sending a message. It tells me that your best and the brightest
is looking in the way of the west. It is kind of sad that we are not
vindictive in the base culture of the music. Whoever arranged it may have
this intention of being satiric and contrasting. If you must, I rather see
the dress switched to having the leads in traditional Chinese gowns and
the performers in western dress. Remember that you are playing to a
primarily ethnic crowd who long for some inspiration in the right
direction.
●I like your use of drums and bass to fill out the spectrum. The Chinese
instruments have not been sounding too great in groups because the
squeaky short comings. In this case you made it sound OK but it is still
squeaky when the instruments came on in mass.
●The conductors and the soloist never showed much warmth and can use more
eye contact. I also suggest that deep bowing before the performance
should be changed to a simple nod with eye contact. In the west, being
confident and serious do not have to be accompanied by a steely face.
●The history and the significance of the music can be explained and
elaborated. It will put the audience in tune and ready to receive. I am
not sure that even we Chinese know all the significance.
●The regional folk songs have lost a great deal by over arranging. In the
"Yao's Tribal Dances" The melody line and the rhythm was weak. It lost the
essential simplicity and fundamental innocence of the folk music which
should rattle the basic emotion in me. Think how those mountain and
village song resonates and that is how I expect them to be heard.
●Most of the conductors and soloists have not master the element of "chi".
This can be observed from the stance and their body language. I suggest
they all take Tai-Chi lessons. The power comes from the legs and the
legs are not there. The lady who played "Chao-Cheun in Exile" being an
exception, she is very moving. I would award her the best performance of
the night.
●The performance can be enhanced by voice work and a dance or two. It
will certainly bring three dimensionality addressing the association of
music and the culture base.
●Last of all, NTU represents the apex of the young men and young women
Taiwan and China alike. We are proud of your presence and your
accomplishment. You are the ambassador from the old country of our
longing. Play to us, play for us. play anything at all. You are on the
right track. Thank you.
Please find attached comments from Dr. Shean Chang
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