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Forty-some years ago, when I had barely learned do re mi, I was luckily chosen by the famous guzheng master, Cao Zheng, to become his student. Back then, China had only a handful of guzheng teachers.
Fifteen years later, I was fortunate to become the guzheng soloist in the prestigious Central Song and Dance Ensemble.
Twenty-four years ago, as a full-time guzheng teacher, I held my first joint concert with a small group of students and friends in San Francisco.
Soon after, along with 15 friends who shared the love of the guzheng, we founded the San Francisco Gu-Zheng Music Society. Though it was not a professional organization at that time, all of its members had the professional work ethic and spirit. Though the members are not professional performers, they all had a yearning to learn about Chinese music and the confidence to help promote and advance guzheng music. Since that humble beginning, members of the Society have provided their unconditional support and togetherness to make this 24-year journey possible. How things have changed! Here in 2006, we can see that Chinese music in the Bay Area has blossomed everywhere with a great depth of talent. Yet, the Society continues its unrelenting effort in fulfilling its mission of promoting Chinese music and culture. I am very blessed, and proud, to be a member of this society.
When the Society began to plan for this year’s annual concert, they asked that I be the featured soloist. With excitement, happiness, and a sense of humility, I accepted this challenge. I sincerely hope that, by performing what I learned from my mentor as well as my favorite compositions, I could in a small way express my gratitude to the Society, my audience and friends for all they have done over the years.
I have experienced China’s Cultural Revolution and the early development of Chinese music in America, collaborated with various Chinese and American musicians, and witnessed the maturation of my students into accomplished performers and tradition-bearers of Chinese music. I can see that my own guzheng music has also acquired new colors and styles from all these experiences.
Tonight, the program will feature classical, folk and recent compositions being performed in various styles including guzheng and dance, guzheng and drums, guzheng and harp, erhu, guitar and many others. I would like to express my thanks to the guest artists Xiaopei He Gelb, Wang Wei, Thomas Lee, Diana Stork, Teed Rockwell and Gary Schwantes.
I would also like to thank the audience, production committee, stage workers, sponsors, students, parents and friends that make this concert possible!
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Weishan Liu |
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