By hannover-web.com On September 15, 2024, the vibrant city of Mechelen in northern Belgium played host to the “Tianya Gong Ci Shi – Chinese Memories” Mid-Autumn Music Concert, a captivating event that brought together a diverse range of musical performances to mark the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. Attendees were treated to an enchanting blend of Tang poetry, Song lyrics, and an array of instruments including the yangqin and the organ, illustrating a rich fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions.
The evening’s program kicked off with a captivating piece from the symphonic suite “Chang’e,” composed by the Belgian artist Johan Famaey. This piece, inspired by the Chinese myth of Chang’e’s journey to the moon, set the tone for a night filled with cultural exploration. Following that, two Belgian sopranos performed a collection of eight art songs in Chinese, highlighting the theme of “Chinese Memories,” with selections from renowned poets such as Meng Haoran, Li Yu, Su Shi, and Li Qingzhao.
Throughout the concert, Famaey, who is known for his proficiency on the yangqin, weaved this traditional Chinese instrument into his works, beautifully blending Eastern aesthetics with Western styles. The evening reached a joyful climax during the encore when the entire audience joined together for a rousing rendition of beloved Mid-Autumn classics like “May You Live Long” and “The Moon Represents My Heart,” creating an electrifying connection among everyone present.
Attending the event was Fei Shengchao, the Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, who emphasized the importance of the Mid-Autumn Festival as a symbol of the Chinese people’s yearning for reunion, harmony, and a prosperous life. He expressed his hope that music, as a universal language, could bridge divides and cultivate deeper connections among people.
Famaey’s journey into this unique musical theme began back in 2005, when he traveled to China to study and engage in music teaching and organ performances in cities like Beijing and Qingdao. Upon his return to Belgium in 2009, he incorporated his insights into Chinese poetic culture into his music, ultimately leading to the inception of the “Chinese Memories” concert series.
The debut of this series was in November 2011, followed by performances in Belgium in 2022. In 2023, he introduced the symphonic suite “Chang’e,” and looking ahead, Famaey is set to perform in Barcelona, Spain, in February 2025, where the yangqin will once again take center stage.
