Red music receives a modern twist

Updated: 2012-08-10 16:32

(China Daily)

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Instrumentalist Wang Xiaowei and singer Wang Xiaohai say miracles have happened since they met and became the band Miracle september. They rose from nothing, they say, to stardom after winning the top prize on star boulevard, a popular competition in China Central Television in september 2008.Then they found themselves in the spotlight of the 2011 CCTv spring Festival gala show.

Now, they are preparing to perform at the opening gala of beijing Culture Week, from july 24 to 31, during the London Olympics. They will present two of their most popular hits, Red Memoryand beautiful China

The band has also recorded bestWishes From beijing, a song celebrating the London Olympics, written by renowned musician Wang pingjiu and young composer Chang shilei.

“We didn’t expect this opportunity to perform during the London Olympics. We’ve chosen the two songs because they represent our style and let us sing about our country,” said Wang Xiaowe, 29, who has wowed audiences with her playing of a double-keyboard electronic organ.

Red Memory , their remix of classic red songs, combines the music of the Yellow River piano Concertoand Wanquan River, a popular song from the classic movie RedDetachment of Womenin 1961. They performed their medley at the vienna golden Hall in 2009, which led them to other touring opportunities in europe and the United states.

beautifulChina , an original song mixing Chinese folk music and strong beats, was part of the 2012 CCTv spring Festival gala program. The duo’s passionate singing and playing was a good match with the festival atmosphere.

“One of our biggest advantages is our performing style, which not only has music but also offers visual enjoyment,” said Wang Xiaohai, 32, whose modern rendition of the revolutionary classics is a breath of fresh air. “Chinese tradition runs in our blood: Our music is fated to reflect the tradition. We hope that the audiences in London can learn how young Chinese musicians interpret traditional Chinese culture.”

The two Wangs often think their meeting and the musical path they followed together is something of a miracle. “For me, the best music she played is still the Yellow River piano Concerto,” said Wang Xiaowei, an accountant and graduate of Dongbei University. When he heard Wang Xiaowei play the organ for her graduation solo at shenyang Conservatory of Music in 2004, he was enthralled. Although the 9-to-5 office worker and karaoke fan had never received any musical training, a bold idea began to take shape in his mind. “I’d never seen this instrument,” Wang Xiaohai said. “but after hearing it being played, I just couldn’t get its sound out of my head.” He contacted the performer, who was equally impressed by Wang Xiaohai’s singing.

They also found other common interests, such as their love of revolution-themed songs of the 1950s and 1960s, often called the “red classics”. Wang Xiaohai had little trouble convincing the 25-year-old performer from Dalian to team up as a band in 2008. Wang Xiaowei started learning the piano at 7 and she took second place at the 2006 UK electronic Organ Competition. Thus the organ, a Western instrument was paired with the classics of an important era of Chinese history. Derived from the pipe organ,the double-keyboard electronic organ requires skillful maneuvering of its two keyboards and a foot pedal. both hands and feet need to work together. Another big challenge: There was no music available for the modern instrument to accompany Chinese red classics. The two had to first compose the music and then add red classics lyrics. besides pop music, Wang Xiaohai also injects operatic singing and rap to add color to their performances.

To complement her partner, Wang Xiaowei also makes some visual improvisations. “The performance is constantly evolving and is full of surprises,” she said. she adds that her association with the singer has reshaped her future.“He changed my original plans to be a teacher,”she said. “The usual path taken by a music graduate in China.” since music by the band has garnered attention, the number of students learning the instrument has doubled or even tripled, Wang Xiaowei believes. They recognize the challenge of making original music rather than remixing old red songs all the time. Their upcoming debut album will feature original songwriting — slow and smoothing rhythms, which contrast with their previous fast and dramatic song style. “What we’ve achieved so far is way beyond our expectations. We’ve realized our dreams one by one,” Wang Xiaohai said.