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Post by sanmenxia on Aug 4, 2006 9:58:17 GMT
I was really but pleasantly suprised by that taiko and erhu piece, it was definitely the best piece from the two Chinese and Japanese concerts.
I hope they have recorded it so it's available for listening at the AMC centre.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 4, 2006 11:18:25 GMT
You were there? Where were you? I was sitting near Gong Yi on the right side of Duke's Hall...
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Post by sanmenxia on Aug 4, 2006 11:38:40 GMT
I sat in the first row for the dizi and erhu solos, but I moved to the back for the taiko performances, err... coz it was a bit loud wasn't it? :-) I wonder if the drummer wore earplugs, the volume must have been deafening.
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Post by Si on Aug 4, 2006 16:06:50 GMT
Looking forward to hearing your report of the SS.
Also looking forward to any tentative news on who will be teacher for the Gu Qin next year, as I think I would like to go.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 4, 2006 17:29:24 GMT
I don't think we would know who the next qin teacher would be until early next year at the earliest...
I don't think it's Wu Wenguang as I heard he is in ill health... Li Xiangting, maybe not coz he got himself an agent meaning his fee will be higher. Zeng Chengwei would be nice, but I'd rather have someone new to learn from.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 8, 2006 11:25:19 GMT
OK, here we go: CHINESE MUSIC SUMMER SCHOOL 2006 REPORT!!! [Fri 28th July] From Birmingham, got on the train at around 7pm to London. Arrived in London at around half 9 and went to Cheng Yu's house. Unfortunately, she wasn't in! I waited for a long time and started to wonder whether she forgot I was staying at her's for the night (the hotel only had places from the 29th... so must stay at her's for the night). Waited for about half an hour, still hadn't shown up. I was having thoughts of whether I waill be sleeping on the streets tonight. I thought, "she couldn't have forgotten". E-mails was read properly et al. Then two hours of standing, she appeared! She said she thought I wasn't coming coz I didn't send her a confirmation that I was coming to stay at her's for the night! Oh well... It could have been a lot worse... [Sat 29th July] Summer school day! Helped Cheng Yu and Sun Zhuo take the instruments to the RAM via taxi. 3 qins, 3 pipas, 2 erhus, my luggage, etc. Fare: £8. Took all the instruments to appropriate rooms, then waited for registration at 10. Finished registration, then went to the Recital Room (rather stuffy, use to be the taiko room)... Erm, I have just remembered that I have to go somewhere important now! Will finish it off later! Sorry!
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Post by Si on Aug 12, 2006 15:23:34 GMT
wow you have left us in suspense...............
im waiting to here all the details!
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 12, 2006 17:04:46 GMT
Sorry! I just got preoccupied by other stuff. I'll write it up when I get the time!
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Post by Si on Aug 23, 2006 14:17:25 GMT
how does Gong Yi teach then?
did he teacher with the qin pu notes or same style as his green book?
hope you will be finishing your memoirs of the last summer school soon....
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 23, 2006 15:06:21 GMT
OK OK! Sheesh! I'll try and do it tomorrow (no bets...)
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 28, 2006 14:20:13 GMT
OK, here we go (again):
CHINESE MUSIC SUMMER SCHOOL 2006 REPORT!!!
[Fri 28th July]
From Birmingham, got on the train at around 7pm to London. Arrived in London at around half 9 and went to Cheng Yu's house. Unfortunately, she wasn't in! I waited for a long time and started to wonder whether she forgot I was staying at her's for the night (the hotel only had places from the 29th... so must stay at her's for the night). Waited for about half an hour, still hadn't shown up. I was having thoughts of whether I waill be sleeping on the streets tonight. I thought, "she couldn't have forgotten". E-mails was read properly et al. Then two hours of standing, she appeared! She said she thought I wasn't coming coz I didn't send her a confirmation that I was coming to stay at her's for the night! Oh well... It could have been a lot worse...
[Sat 29th July]
Summer school day! Helped Cheng Yu and Sun Zhuo take the instruments to the RAM via taxi. 3 qins, 3 pipas, 2 erhus, my luggage, etc. Fare: £8.
Took all the instruments to appropriate rooms, then waited for registration at 10. Finished registration, then went to the Recital Room (rather stuffy, use to be the taiko room) for the welcome. With no windows, the electric fans were at full blast. The room began filling up, but not before I had to run around the place devilering different instruments to different rooms (the RAM is split into two buildings, main and York Gate, so there is a lot of running around, plus the lifts were broken as well...). The room filled up to the point of no more seats, so many had to stand up. Most teachers came and sat, then the welcome began with Ginger introducting the teachers, etc.
After all the formalities, everyone made their way to their workshops. We stayed out since the qin workshop was in the recital room. After moving the tables around and the qins were set up and an initial chat, the workshop began. This year, we had Gong Yi. There was about 8 players, two of which were beginners. Gong Yi then explaining about the qin, going through basic technqiues. He handed us simple drills, mostly to do with correcting posture and technique.
The room wasn't perfect, we'd prefer the one we was in last year, so the AMC people began to make arrangements for the move.
We then went to lunch. I had to take go to Marylebone High St for a sandwich as I had an ensemble class at 1 and the qin class sort of ran longer. At the ensemble class, we began to do the same pieces as last year, since we only had three days! The dizi people wasn't here coz the dizi classes don't start until the next day. I discovered that the dizi class almost got cancelled because there was not many people taking it! The erhu class has increased its stock to eight. Pipa is much higher than last year. Unfortunately for me, I didn't do much practice on the pipa before hand. Anyways, there's plenty of time to work on it in the coming days. Since the SS is shorter this year, I had to do without any pipa lessons.
After that, we went to the seminar by Gong Yi. Gong Yi's seminar was mostly about his discoveries he made about qin music. Controversial in tone, he began to systematically discuss some views on the aspect and nature of qin music from a scientific point of view. He disagrees with some traditionalists perception that the qin is not a musical instrument, and sets out to demonstrate the qin in an objective light. He said that people actually went up to him and said he was wrong, but he say's that he's not saying that the qin can't be viewed in traditional light, but that they can also be viewed from a scientific view as well. He talked about the need to progress the qin's development or it will become stagnant. There was too much said to be written here, so that was a brief summary.
After a tea break, we were back at the workshop until the end of the first day. After the workshop, we walked (the tube line was closed) to Kings Cross for dinner at the noodle bar.
[Sun 30th July]
Next day, had breakfast with my leftover sandwich. Then went to Regent's Park for a walk before the Academy opened its doors.
At the RAM, went straight to practicing my pipa pieces for the ensemble (Moli Hua and Caiyun Zhuiyue). Afterwards, went to the qin workshop, which has now moved back to last year's venue, G46. There had been some renovation since last year, and a shop had appeared (no stock in yet). Handouts were given and the piece was Shenren Chang. GY played it to show us and then described it's history. After which, we all attempted it. The beginners were given the Kangding Love Song to practice on.
After, we went to lunch. Since I had the ensemble class, I had to do a takeaway. At the ensemble class, still no dizi people turned up, so we went along as plannned. After the ensemble class, we went to Wang Ciheng's seminar. I was wondering where Max was, so I texted him last night (Hua Ping said he was in China). Not the case in his reply text; he was coming on Monday but only for a day because of family reasons. WCH's seminar discussed the various styles and compositions of the dizi, including modern ones. It was very interesting to discover that some players can tell which part of China you are from just by the way you play. WCH said he was a southerner and when he tried to play a northern piece, northeners immediately said he was a southerner! He said he had to learn the way northeners spoke and their way of living before he can play in the northern style without northerners distinguishing him from them!
We then went for a tea break, before going to the last workshop of the day. After the ws, we went to Chinatown for dinner.
[Mon 31st July]
After another visit to Regent's Park, I got back to the RAM for early pipa practice. I also saw Max after one year. Then to the qin workshop. GY gave us further scores for various pieces from his green book. He also bought some stuff from China to sell. These included his green book, VCDs, metal-nylon and silk strings, LXT's impro CDs, his own new CDs, etc. He worked mostly on techniques we had difficulty with.
For lunch, we went to Marco Polo. Then, I was off to ensemble class. This time, there was three dizi players from the children's music summer school. Complicated to describe the situation but at least we had some players, even though this was basically our last full day for ensemble practice!
Then, the seminar with Cheng Yu began. She talked about the AMC's recent trip to China to record music from various regions and styles. We were shown recordings of these. After a tea break, it was the next workshop, then the yaji started.
I, was in my tuxedos for this! GY first gave a short talk, then the qin playing began. Afterwards, it was dinner at Fenghuang Ge near Baker Street.
[Tues 1st August]
Back to pipa practice in the morning. Almost cracked the scores!Then to the workshops. Afterwards, we went for lunch at the same place again. This time, there was no more ensemble class, so I took my time. Since the GY and CY had a concert this night, there was no afternoon classes. We mainly wondered about and did qin practice. Then, after tea, we went to the taiko seminar with Motofuji-san at the Duke's Hall.
After that, we went our ways to prepare for the night's concert.
At the concert, it was at the David Josewitz Hall. The programme is as follows:
1. Liu Shui (GY) 2. Zhuiyu Changye (GY) 3. Tsubasa ni notte, Hashiru, Tadayou, Soshite Odoru (Etsuko Takezawa, koto) 4. Midare (ET) on the programme it says Rokudan, but she played Midare instead by accident... 5. Zhaojun Chusai (CY) 6. Yizu Wuqu (CY)
Break
7. Pingsha Luoyan (GY) 8. Xiaxiang Shuiyun (GY) 9. Nezumi (ET) 10. Yanagawa shikyoku (ET) 11. Shimian maifu (CY) 12. Waterscpe Silhouette (Silk String Quartet)
then the encore:
13. Sanliu (SSQ)
Afterwards, I bought some CDs, then it was off back to hotel.
[Wed 2nd August]
Last day!!! Early start at the RAM to do pipa, and cracked most of it. Then to the final worshop with GY. After lunch at the usual place, it was time for the CMSS and the JMSS student concert!
At the concert, I played Kongzi Duyi. Many of us have imrproved our skills! After that, there was the group photos of the SS participants. There was no guqin class because GY had to prepare to go back to Shanghai the next morning.
At night, we went to the last concert, but not before dinner at a buffet restaurant down the road. The concert programme is as follows:
1. Deep autumn (WCH, with yangqin) 2. The dove takes wing (WCH) 3. Pastoral song (WCH, with yangqin)
4. The story of Lan huahua (Hu Bin) 5. another piece that isn't listed on the programme (HB)
Break
6. A variety of compositions by Motofuji-san. 7. Umi - koete (erhu and taiko duet) (M and HB)!
The taiko and erhu duet was probably the highlight of the evening and a perfect end to the summer school! Then, the artists and musicians went to Fenghuang Ge for dinner (we went along as well).
[Thurs 3rd August]
Checked out and went to the train station before boarding the train back to Brum!
THE END!
I might have missed a few bits because I forgot them, but that is more or less what happened.
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Post by calden on Aug 28, 2006 14:44:24 GMT
CCC:
Your rundown of events was inspirational! Thank you for being our correspondent.
Maybe next year I'll hop a plane and come over to participate. Maybe even we can, on this side of the pond, organize something as good.
Carlos
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 28, 2006 15:03:04 GMT
T'will be good!
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Post by davidmdahl on Aug 28, 2006 22:41:35 GMT
Thanks for your report on the CMSS, CCC! It would seem that there should be enough interest to do something similar in the USA. The only ones I know about are geared for H.S. age and younger, and are spread over too many days to be practical for out-of-town participants.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by Si on Aug 29, 2006 4:08:17 GMT
Yeah very Interesting CCC.
Should should have recorded the GY seminar - I assume there is an english translator!
If you only take the gu qin part of the school course will that mean you are free for more of the day or do you have other stuff to do?
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 29, 2006 10:15:52 GMT
You have plenty of stuff to do. If I had done pipa as well, I would have to choose which workshops to do which. You don't have to go to ensemle class, but if you do, then that's an hour off your lunch.
There was a translator in form of Christopher Evans.
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Post by Si on Aug 29, 2006 10:24:39 GMT
ahhhhh.....seminar sounds so interesting, wish i was there to here it.
I feel quite tired after 1 hour of one on one with my teacher on a new piece. Sounds very intensive for you all if the workshops are a good few hours long.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Aug 29, 2006 10:36:58 GMT
Not very. it's a rather relaxed atmosphere in the qin camp.
Pictures etc are forthcoming. Plus, pics from the AMC aren't up yet... I didn't take my camera with me.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Sept 1, 2006 8:17:49 GMT
Hmmm... www.amc.org.uk/tours/2007/index.htm (right at the bottom) Not confirmed fully, but Gong Yi might be in next year's summer school. Note no mention of dizi (pray to god that it will be running...)...
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Post by Si on Sept 1, 2006 15:00:21 GMT
Gong Yi again!!!
Well I supose this is GY's cup of tea! spreading Guqin knowledge to te world.
How many tunes did he teach you last time?
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Post by Charlie Huang on Sept 2, 2006 9:12:53 GMT
Erm, you mean the 2003 one? Wasn't at that one. This year, I learnt half of Shenren Chang, all of Kangding Love Song, and that's about it. There really wasn't much time to fully learn big pieces like last year with ZCW, which I got two pieces from him.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Sept 13, 2006 10:40:26 GMT
OK, one pic is so far published! The yaji: See if you can spot me.
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Post by Charlie Huang on Sept 13, 2006 10:57:15 GMT
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Post by Charlie Huang on Nov 20, 2006 12:09:50 GMT
Finally! Photos! Full group Teachers Participants concert: Erhu class with Hu Bin Pipa class with Cheng Yu Guqin class with Gong Yi Dizi class with Wang Ciheng Japanese SS photos: More photos here: www.amc.org.uk/summer_schools/index.htm
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Post by Charlie Huang on Jan 27, 2007 21:13:47 GMT
News! www.amc.org.uk/summer_schools/index.htmChinese Music Guqin 31 July - 4 August : Prof Li Xiangting Pipa 31 July – 4 August : Cheng Yu Erhu 31 July – 4 August : Hu Bin Looks like LXT is gonna be teaching this year! I'd advise those who want to go make necessaty plans now. Dizi looks dead...
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