Special Wuhan composition makes European debut

ANTWERP, Belgium－The premiere of renowned Chinese musician Tan Dun's new composition, Sound Pagoda－The 12 Sounds of Wuhan, was performed by the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra in the city's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Feb 15.

The concert, conducted by Tan, was the first held by the international music community to extend love, care and support to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has caused over 2,200 deaths and infected more than 75,000 people in China as of Friday.

Around two pools of clean water in the center of the stage were placed 12 gongs, one of the first Chinese musical instruments that made its way into Western orchestras.

Dedicated to supporting Wuhan's battle against the epidemic, Tan, who has won both an Academy and a Grammy Award for his original composition for soundtrack of the Oscar-winning blockbuster Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, created the new piece during his flight from New York to Brussels earlier this month.

The composition was written to honor Wuhan's percussion instruments as the city is known throughout the world for its cymbals and gongs. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra has three Wuhan gongs, which were played during the performance.

"The Wuhan gongs, which have left a deep impression around the world, are a must for symphony orchestras," says Tan. "Without the Wuhan gongs, there would be no such wonderful classical music as Beethoven's Ode to Joy or Mozart's Requiem.

"This is why Wuhan and its people hold a special meaning for musicians," Tan explains in front of a large gong.

It was no coincidence for Tan to choose 12 large gongs to perform his new composition. "The 12 Sounds of Wuhan symbolizes not only the 12-hour life cycle, 12 Chinese zodiacs and the 12 months, but also a spiritual culture and harmonious coexistence between man and nature, calling on the world to fight COVID-19.

"I hope that we can commemorate our friends in Wuhan and let the world remember the fabulous music enabled by the city through the sound pagoda built by 12 Sounds of Wuhan," Tan says. "These 12 gongs are no longer physical instruments, but a sound bridge connecting Wuhan to the world."

Filip Stuer, director of communications and marketing of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, says: "I believe that the fight against COVID-19 is a global fight, and not only China's to win. I firmly believe that we are capable of winning through concerted efforts and cooperation.

"I feel honored to be able to organize this concert. We would like to offer our sympathy to all those involved, as well as our support to the doctors and scientists, and to all those who are helping to contain this epidemic."

Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, said after the concert, "Tonight's performance is the artist's support for the people of Wuhan and their fight against the epidemic."

Tan conveyed a heartwarming message for the stricken Chinese city at the end of the piece. "Dear Wuhan, I promise to perform The 12 Sounds of Wuhan and Beethoven's Ode to Joy for you at home once the epidemic is over."