Source: CCTV.com

08-18-2008 09:15

According to ancient Chinese literature, the name "Dehe" implies "listen to a fine melody and the mind will be calm." Today, just as the name suggests, we'll take you on a tour of ancient Chinese music and hear sounds of heaven the way they were heard in ancient times.

Bianzhong(file photo)

This performance is called Yayue, which means “elegant music” in English.

It is a unique form of Eastern music and dance performed only in imperial courts.

Combining ritual, music, song and dance into one, it constitutes a dialogue with the sky in music and a diversion for the Gods in dance. A mystical and wonderful ambience is created in which man and heaven correspond. This represents the idea that man is an integral part of nature.

Chinese people in ancient times collected the wonderful sounds of nature and created "the eight categories of Ancient Musical instruments," namely "metal, stone, string, bamboo, leather, clay, wood and Gourd." These categories are represented well by the musical instruments used here.

Of all these musical instruments, Bianqing and Bianzhong played the most important part in the performances.