Musical Legacies of Hong Kong Revisited 【Online Programme】
ProgrammeEpisode 1: Chaozhou Music (Part I)Episode 2: Chaozhou Music (Part II)Episode 3: Fishermen’s LamentsEpisode 4: Taoist Music of the Zhengyi School (Part I)Episode 5: Taoist Music of the Zhengyi School (Part II)Episode 6: Hakka Folk SongEpisode 7: Nanyin (Part I)Episode 8: Nanyin (Part II)
The five performing art forms included in the first Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong are Chaozhou Music, Fishermen’s Laments, Taoist Music of the Zhengyi School, Hakka Folk Song, and Nanyin. Their esoteric features will be systematically presented in eight episodes of the concert series entitled Musical Legacies of Hong Kong Revisited, hosted by Professor Christopher Pak, Head of Academic Studies in Music of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Chan Chi-chun, Executive Director of The Centre for Chinese Music Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. They will guide the audience in the appreciation of the cultural implications and uniqueness of these regional music genres as intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong. Virtuosi on the local music scene will be invited to perform at the sessions for enhanced understanding of their appeal.
Theme of each episode:
Episode 1 & 2: Chaozhou Music
Episode 3: Fishermen’s Laments
Episodes 4 & 5: Taoist Music of the Zhengyi School
Episodes 6: Hakka Folk Song
Episodes 7 & 8: Nanyin
Conducted in Cantonese.
The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The presenter reserves the right to vary the broadcast time of the programme.
Chaozhou music, a kind of folk music popular in eastern Guangdong, was introduced to Hong Kong by Chaozhou migrants. This episode will talk about the erxian, a two-string fiddle that is most representative of Chaozhou music as well as its distinctive playing techniques.
Performers
Music Section of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Merchants Mutual Assistance Society
Programme
Fish Hawks Dabbling in the Water
Storming the Chamber
This episode will talk about the traditional "two-four system tablature" and different modes of Chaozhou music.
Performers
Music Section of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Merchants Mutual Assistance Society
Programme
Fu-De-Ci
Welcoming Guests
Fishermen's Laments, the tradition of fishermen communities, are sung in wedding ceremonies and funeral rites. This episode would look at the practical use of this vernacular musical genre in Hong Kong and its transmission.
Performers
Vocal: Lai Tai-kam, Dara Leung
Programme
Lanterns
Scenic Tai O
When Lovers First Meet
Taoist music is divided into two schools: the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) and the Quanzhen (Complete Perfection). During the ritual, musicians play instruments while ritual specialists are chanting ritual text. This episode traces the origin of Taoist music and introduces set pieces in its wind-and-percussion category which are commonly heard.
Performers
Jiao master: Ko Yun-kuen, Ko Yun-hung, Au Hing-fun, Chan Ho-fai, Ho Ka-yee, Lam Chor-yun
Programme
An Ingot of Gold
Xiao-Kai-Men
Da-Kai-Men
This episode talks about the musical instruments and ritual vessels used by Taoist jiao masters and the nahm mouh masters and the nahm mouh recitation forms of Taoist scriptures.
Performers
Nahm mouh master: Ko Yun-kuen, Au Hing-fun
Jiao master: Ko Yun-hung, Chan Ho-fai, Ho Ka-yee, Lam Chor-yun
Programme
Kai-Jing-Zan
Hanging Rhythm
Hakka folk songs have been inherited among Hakka communities in the New Territories. In the past, people sang the songs during gatherings, festivals and courtships. In addition to analysing the music and lyrics of Hakka folk songs, this episode will also introduce the form of male and female duet singing, as well as the “bamboo clappers song” of the Hakka people.
Performers
Vocal: Dr Stephen Cheung, Lee Kwan
Programme
The Fifth Day of the Fifth Lunar Month Is the Dragon Boat Festival
Hakka Folk Songs Are Especially Famous
A Song Almost Forgotten Because It Has Not Been Sung for a Long Time
I Have Not Seen My Girl for a Long Time
Song of Hakka Hat
Seeing My Man Off
Du Shiniang
Nanyin is a narrative song art presented in the Cantonese vernacular; it was once a popular form of entertainment in Hong Kong during the early 20th century. The lyrics often reflected the living hardships of the lowest stratum of society. Today, nanyin is essentially blended into Cantonese opera and Cantonese operatic songs as part of their singing elements. The subjects of this episode are Professor Bell Yung’s recording project for the iconic blind singer of nanyin, Dou Wun, and the song Burning Funerary Goods for His Love.
Performers
Vocal: Kwok Kai-fai
Yehu: Yu Siu-wah
Guzheng: Chan Kwok-fai
Pipa: Ho Kang-ming
Xiao: Chan Chi-chun
Programme
Burning Funerary Goods for His Love
This episode will talk about the form of the lyrics of nanyin, and introduce another consummate artist and icon in nanyin, Dr Ng Wing-mui, and the song Nocturnal Lament.
