A Buddhist master who has seen Divine Performing Arts perform 11 times says the shows' East-meets-West symphony orchestra sounds like “heavenly music that has never been heard before”.
“If you listen calmly to Divine Performing Arts live, the music sounds like it’s combined flawlessly from hundreds of instruments and many of them I have never heard of before,” said the Buddhist who has played Buddhist music and created art for over 20 years.
While it is stunningly costumed dancers that take front stage during Divine Performing Arts’ world tours, the performing company’s unique combination of Chinese and Western instruments in its orchestra has won praise from both Chinese and Western audiences.
Ms. Ying Chen, who directs one of Divine Performing Arts’ two orchestras, said the combination of instruments is rarely seen outside of China. “Many Chinese people are proud of it and many Westerners are impressed by the Chinese performing art.”
Traditional Chinese Music Played By Combination of Chinese and Western Musical Instruments
“The styles of Eastern and Western music are far different from each other. Western music has an integrated music system and demands precision in every aspect. The Chinese music focuses on the content, like a Chinese painting that relies on free strokes and shuns details and brings you to another dimension.”
Ying said combining the two forms of music requires mastery of both and a deep understanding of their respective cultures as well. Divine Performing Arts (DPA) orchestral music is based on the melody and subtle charm of traditional Chinese music and manifested by the techniques and variety of Western music, she said.
“It’s a very tough task to combine (the Eastern and Western music) perfectly. It would turn out to be neither fish nor fowl if you weren’t careful. The DPA did well and used this combination to adequately express the inner meaning of the Chinese music. This is why many professionals in the music industry are moved and respect the DPA.”
The western orchestra gives a wide choice of harmony to achieve deep and rich momentum while the Chinese folk music instruments express characteristics of leisure, simplicity and honesty. The two complement each other.
“Our orchestra is a unique and ingenious combination,” said Ying with a smile.
But while technique makes the mix of instruments work, it is the depth of the inspiration that makes it powerful, Ying explained.
"When a group of artists dedicate themselves to the audience whole heartedly with pure and compassionate wishes, the audience will absolutely sense the feelings and the dedication."
That dedication begins during composition, she continued. The composers work tirelessly to complement the dance to express the plot, emotion, essence, and spirit.
"Our composers put in great effort into that aspect. They listen carefully to the effect of the instrumental combination, and pay attention to the message intended by the dance. They look for the harmony and balance to the precision to reach a clever and perfect sound effect.”
“Each success of our music is through repetitive and constant pondering, evaluating, and adjusting. It is composed of the dedication and effort of all artists involved. Finally, the dance, music, backdrop, lighting, costume, design and effect of all come in as one to complete the harmonious and perfect work of art.”
She mentions: “Constantly at the performing nights, there are enthusiastic audiences expressing their gratitude and excitement towards the musicians during, before and after the show.”
Ying explains that some Westerners have acknowledged the depth and spiritual aspect of the traditional Chinese culture conveyed through the performance.
“Divine Performing Arts have helped them to recognize their previous understanding of Chinese culture has been superficial. They praised the artistic way of delivering message beyond words and they have learned to love and admire the traditional Chinese culture.”
Born in a family of musicians, Ying grew up under the influence of performing arts. Her outstanding talent granted her admission to Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Later, she was admitted with scholarship to Esther Boyer College of Music, Temple University at the United States of America.
Chen Ying says that at one point American culture dominated her existence and she began to move away from Chinese performing arts.
“Not until I participated in Divine Performing Arts’ effort to promote traditional Chinese culture did I realize the grand and profound diversity and depth of the traditional Chinese culture.”
“I am truly proud of how brilliant and profound the traditional Chinese culture is. We must cherish what we have and do our best to present the world the treasure of all on stage, the beauty and the spirit of the traditional Chinese culture.”
In a rare departure from it’s regular touring schedule, Divine Performing Arts will hold a singular run of shows under the banner Mid-Autumn Spectacular in Toronto September 24 to 28 to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival