From Heritage to the World | The Splendour of Traditional Chinese Music

The Splendour of Traditional Chinese Music is an afternoon of music and conversation centred around the English edition of The Splendour of Traditional Chinese Music (《国乐风华》), a landmark publication introducing China's rich musical heritage to international readers.

Edited by renowned erhu virtuoso Zhang Yinyue, the book brings together contributions from leading Chinese instrumentalists, offering a unique practitioner-led perspective on the history of Chinese music, the evolution of its traditional instruments, and the appreciation of some of China's most celebrated musical works. The English edition has been translated by Lu Guangyi, Everett Jenkins and Laurie Jenkins, with a foreword by Professor Marina Frolova-Walker (University of Cambridge).

The afternoon begins with an introduction to the book and the remarkable story of Chinese music—from its ancient origins and the influence of the Silk Road to the development of its distinctive instrumental traditions. The programme then presents A Panorama of Hunan as a case study, exploring how a regional Chinese music production has successfully engaged audiences across Europe through artistic collaboration and cultural exchange.

A panel discussion will bring together distinguished musicians, conductors and scholars from China and the United Kingdom to consider some of the most pressing questions facing traditional music today: Why should we preserve musical heritage? How can music rooted in local identity find relevance for global audiences? And what role can artists and cultural institutions play in ensuring these traditions continue to evolve?

The event concludes with live performances of selected works featured in the book, combining readings with performances. Through these performances, audiences will experience the music discussed in the publication while gaining insight into the stories, history and artistic traditions behind each work.

Whether you are a musician, scholar, student or simply curious about one of the world's oldest musical traditions, this event offers a rare opportunity to explore Chinese music through both academic discussion and live performance, while reflecting on the broader role of traditional music in an increasingly interconnected world.

Programme Highlights

• Introduction to The Splendour of Traditional Chinese Music
• The history of Chinese music and traditional instruments
• A Panorama of Hunan: Bringing regional music to international audiences
• Panel Discussion: Preserving Traditional Music and Bringing It to the World
• Live performances of representative Chinese musical masterpieces
• Audience Q&A
• Book signing and networking reception