Sheng & Sho Unite: Beijing Concert Bridges Centuries of Sound

When ancient melodies collide with modern innovation, magic happens. Last weekend, Beijing witnessed a rare musical harmony as Chinese sheng virtuoso Wu Tong and Japanese sho maestro Mayumi Miyata joined forces, blending the celestial tones of their millennium-old instruments.

The sheng, a free-reed mouth organ born in China over 3,000 years ago, traveled to Japan in the 8th century and evolved into the sho. While Japan preserved its traditional form for gagaku court music, Chinese musicians like Wu expanded the sheng's range to three octaves—think of it like upgrading from a vintage vinyl collection to a streaming-era playlist!

'Our instruments are cousins separated by time and geography,' Wu told the captivated audience. The concert featured haunting improvisations and contemporary compositions, proving these ancient arts can still vibe with Gen-Z ears.

For culture enthusiasts and music nerds alike, this collaboration was a masterclass in how shared heritage can inspire fresh creativity. As one concertgoer tweeted: 'Who knew bamboo and breath could sound this lit?'

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Chinese sheng and Japanese sho instruments meet for Beijing concert

cgtn.com