This guzheng + vocal improvisation was recorded yesterday inspired by a live streaming music salon I watched.
I got up early yesterday morning to watch this rare live event that was held in Beijing (Nashville is 13 hours behind Beijing). Muqam master Yiliham Reyim, from Yarkant County of Xinjiang, gave a two-hour music performance and Q & A, presented by China Digital Traditional Music 中国音网, an organization dedicated to preserving traditional music from all around China and its neighboring countries. Yiliham sang and played the satar, which is an important instrument to play Muqam music (photo below).
It was a rare chance to enjoy a musical performance from a tradition that is under real threat in China from repression and co-option by the state.
Muqam is a kind of Islamic music that is distributed in 19 nations and regions of Middle Asia, South Asia, West Asia and North Africa. For Uyghurs, the “Twelve Muqam” — twelve classical pieces of music — are most representative, and date back to music popularized as early as the 14th Century.
It takes 24 hours to play the whole set of 12 Muqam, Aside from singing, musical instruments include Shataer, Tanboer, Rewapu, tambourine, and Dutaer.
I will be on my way to Boston area to give a concert this weekend. My newsletter will return next Monday. Wish you all a wonderful weekend and hope we all learn something new!
Wu Fei 吴非
Wufeimusic.com
