86-year-old peasant Zhang Gui and some one hundred fellow villagers from northwestern Shaanxi Province sang the ancient tunes of the Tang dynasty (618–907) on June 15 in the Haidian Theater.
Although much of ancient Chinese music has been lost, this ancient Tang music has been passed down through oral tradition, as well as a thousand-year-old traditional Chinese notation called "Gongchepu".
Several of China's most ancient musical instruments have also been handed down over hundreds of years, including the sheng, flute, drum and gongs.
Almost all of the people in Zhang Gui's village can sing and play ancient Tang music, since this place once served as the temporary residence and hunting ground for Tang emperors.
These rural musicians will give formal performances to Beijing audiences from 17 to 19 June at Haidian Theater and the Central Music Conservatory.
(CRI.com June 17, 2005)
