i was able to go to a free concert and panel
on chinese music, then and now, at lunchtime
today. i wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but enjoyed
myself so much! i never did learn a musical instrument
and know nothing about music in general, but i’m
always humming and singing (not well, either =) just
like my mom does and just like sweet pea seems to.

the venue was packed and i had great seats in the third
row. however, not the best spot to take fotos, so sorry
for all the giant heads in the way. =)

the emcee with the two stars of the show, both students
of music and twenty years old. (because a senior woman
asked “how old are you guys anyway?” during q&a. ha!)
i pegged them at no older than twenty.

the chap in white plays the erhu, which is similar to a
violin, but as he explained it, the bow is actually connected
to the violin, making that very different from the western
violin. i was really taken by the melodies produced by
this instrument–instantly haunting, sad and pining. it’s
a very expressive instrument. he said he’s been playing for
ten years.

i was especially taken with the other musician because
of his natural super curly hair, that basically is like a chinese ‘fro
and his smiley demeanor. =D he plays the russian
accordion. it was explained that in the early 1980’s was
when there was a big resurgence of music and study in
the conservatories, including western instruments and music.
(this after the cultural revolution, when it was forbidden.)

accordions became popular because most families couldn’t
afford a piano. the accordion player says he’s been playing
since he was five years old.

these fotos aren’t very good, as the musicians are in constant
motion. but i love watching the musician’s body movement
and facial expressions while playing, as i think both are very
visceral and unedited. which is moving to me.

curly haired musician was also very expressive!
he played a score he wrote himself titled “to spring”.
it was very playful and fun.

the concert ended with a western string quartet
accompanying the er hu, which was also fantastic.

afterward, i chatted with the curly haired musician asking
where he got his curls from. =D because i have naturally
wavy hair myself, and am constantly told by people (including
chinese!) that chinese people don’t have naturally wavy/curly
hair. um. i’m chinese people and my curls are natural. ha!

we’re a small percentage, true. and my waves don’t compare
to accordion player’s tight curls. =) during the conversation,
i fumbled for the right word for “perm” (the same way i fumbled
for “domino” when i was being tested for my english abilities
when i was twelve–irony, i have no idea how to say *that*
in chinese). since i came to the states when i was six years old,
my chinese language abilities basically froze at that age. so i
can do general conversation at best.

it’s a constant reminder of how easily language is lost.
within a generation or less. and it really is a pity. i can
literally feel it slipping away from me.

still eyeball deep in line edits. we’re getting close!

currently reading :

twenty boy summer by sarah ockler