Introducing Chinese music, opera

decathlonmusic062: Academic Decathlon Concert
Instead of violins, the Chinese Classical Music Ensemble plays the ancient jinghu — Peking opera fiddle — which provides a distinctive sound.
Imagine going to a symphony concert where the only instruments you recognize are a piano and drums. Instead of putting it on his shoulder, the first chair violinist draws a bow across the instrument he holds vertically that rests on top of his leg. But the instrument is not a violin. It only has two strings and a finger board made out of a coconut shell with snake skin stretched across it. Another orchestra member is blowing into something that looks like a small, wooden replica of the Empire State Building. Welcome to the art of performing ancient Chinese music.

Hundreds of high school students across California were welcomed to the art at the annual Academic Decathlon Concert held in Bakersfield's Rabobank Convention Center on Oct. 25. Traditionally, students come to Kern County each year to watch, listen and take notes, as The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra plays selections from the national study book and CD on which students will be tested during the Academic Decathlon competition in February. This time the symphony, although it sponsored the concert, was not there. Taking its place was the Chinese Classical Music Ensemble with performances by the Peking and Cantonese Opera companies.

While in years past, students had settled in to hear the classical strains of Bach, Beethoven and Bizet (among others), this time it was "The Music of China." What happened when Western ears met Eastern sounds?

"It was dark, mystical, relaxing, even kind of therapeutic," said West High student Devon Tomlin.

How would you know what to expect, when instead of violins there were jinghus, shengs replaced french horns and pipas took the place of guitars? Which came first -- the flute or the dizi? That question may not have an easily, discernable answer, although, according to lecturer Jerry Kleinsasser, some of the Chinese music played was more than 1,700 years old.

"'Jiu Kuang' -- known as the 'Feigned Drunkard' is 1,700 years old and was passed down through ancient manuscript," Kleinsasser told the audience. "It features bending notes and includes 32 pitches compared to the Western standard of 12."

After hearing the ensemble perform the piece, West High student Scott Brown was left shaking his head admiringly. "Thirty-six pitches compared to 12? I'm a musician, and I've never played those pitches before," Brown said. "With all the chords you have to learn with jazz, I think it would be real complicated to try."

Kleinsasser explained how in Chinese opera the instruments and the singers share the same sounds -- there is no harmony. Students saw demonstrations through performances by the Peking and Cantonese Opera companies. Dressed in authentic period costumes and wearing exaggerated makeup, the Peking Opera stars acted out a 13th Century tale of a young scholar and a beautiful maiden's love in "The Red Maid." The Cantonese Opera followed up with "Interrogation," a story of corporal discipline, where the flogging of a servant by her aristocratic mistress was choreographed in dramatic, yet flowing dance movements, reflecting both rage and sorrow.

When the concert ended at 2 p.m., those in attendance had gained knowledge but also appreciation and respect for an ancient cultural art form.

"It brought the past alive to the future," said West High student Lucia Salazar. "It stays in your head what happens. Like when the ensemble performed "Sai Ma" (Horse Races), the instrumental sounds made it feel like you were watching the Kentucky Derby. I felt like I was there."

An interesting interpretation as Kleinsasser, professor of music at California State University, Bakersfield, said the horse racing instrumental was based on a folk tale from Mongolia.

The Academic Decathlon Concert was presented by the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Kern County Academic Decathlon Association and Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office. Local high school students will compete in the Kern County Academic Decathlon on Feb. 3 at Bakersfield College.


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