Spring Festival Concert: Raving Dance of the Golden Serpent

The evening after my adventure at Escape park, I was at the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (Penang PAC), Stage 1, Straits Quay for a Chinese orchestra concert. Yup, a Chinese orchestra concert with traditional musical instruments. There were a few modern instruments, such as the cymbals, the cello and the double bass. The rest of it were pretty foreign to me, I’ve only seen them in movies.

The entrance

A mini cafeteria

A group of Koreans

It was my first time stepping into Penang PAC, I’ve heard of the place before but no opportunity to visit the place. My colleague who plays the Erhu in the orchestra invited me to watch them perform. I am a big fan of live music but Chinese orchestra is a new thing for me. 99% of their announcements and speeches were in Mandarin but I could understand. I am proud to say that I’ve mastered the basics on Mandarin. Lol.

Upstairs

Walking towards the hall

I will try to descrie a scene for the pieces that were played that night. Try to imagine it with me. =) It started with:-

In the hall (ps. Taking photos are strictly prohibited)

Ensemble – Raving Dance of The Golden Serpent

Opening act of the night, the first 8 bars gave me chills in my skin. They were good, the sound was perfect, who would imagine traditional music instruments could be so electrifying. I was smiling on the way. Imagine, a group of people celebrating some kinda festival in a busy town, where everyone is smiling away.

Erhu Unision – Festive Gongs

I always thought Erhu can only be played in a sad and solemn scene but this piece was quite light and easy. Picture, you sitting on top of the hill enjoying the sunset and the sea breeze with your dog beside you and its tongue is out.

Yangqin Quintet – Tidings of Joy

This instrument is impossible to play! It’s like playing drums but you have to accurately hit the correct string. And I was told that there is about 100 over notes in that instrument. This wan le, imagine horses running and playing around, sipping water from the river with crystal clear water.

Not actual pic of the night, but this one, crazy hardcore to play.

Zheng Solo – Spring on Xiang River

Doing anything solo requires a high level of skills, confidence and talent. This beautiful young lady walked up to her Zheng, strut a very graceful pose and pluck the strings like a person drawing calligraphy in ancient times. The sound of that instrument was heavenly; it’s like a warrior playing with his sword, making his movement smooth yet ready to kill. Beautifully crafted and played. Love it!

String Ensemble – A Pleasant Eve

Can’t remember d. ><

Percussion Ensemble – Gongs and Drums of Celebration

This piece…er…hahaha…one thing came to my mind when they started playing. Prangin Mall ‘ding ding’ shop where you hit those drums when the green line reaches the bottom of the screen. It was a bit dry and empty because there was only one big drum and one mini drum. Can’t feel the dynamic of the percussions. If they had 20 drums, I would be banging my head with it.

Ding Ding

Erhu Solo – Joyful Spring

The conductor, Madam Lim Soon Lay presented this piece with full of elegance and confidence, you can see it in her expression. She was enjoying every single note. Imagine a mother doing sewing in her ‘attap’ house, then her son wakes up and asked his mother to sew him a toy. A light and happy tune.

Yangqin Solo – Spring on Qing River

Another solo act, this time but a young handsome guy. Picture a couple, in the era where the guys have hair as long as the girls. Both wearing white, hair nicely and neatly tied up, like a bun. There are chasing and fooling around in a head length barley field. The sun is about to set, and the field is slowly turning into gold colour. A romantic and warmth melody.

Something like that but without the 3 guys. Imagine a couple flirting with one another =P

String Quintet – A Joyful Night

Can’t remember also.

Ensemble – Chinese New Year pieces

This one power! Got cny mood. The orchestra played CNY hit songs that we are all familiar with and it was really good. We were also given a mandarin orange each. Once they finished their last piece, the crowd chanted, “Encore, encore, encore.” The emcee asked the conductor if they are willing to play another piece. She frowned and showed a bitter face. She then took out an angpow and waves it in the air. If there is anyone in the crowd who is willing to give an angpow, she would continue. 10 Seconds passed, no one, 20 seconds passed, everyone looked at one another. Then a young guy ran down with a huge ang pow. Probably the size of a Pizza Hut’s menu and pass it to the conductor. She pulled out a RM100 note and smiled happily. It was all a drama. It isn’t as traditional as I thought it would be.

The Ochestra

I enjoyed the concert very much. I notice that most of the musicians head would shake like those movies where the scholar starts reading poetry. That kinda shake. It was pretty cute to see, and it almost made me follow them.

Photo taken by one of the member. I think his hands must be shaking. Two photos also this blur =/