Steeped in Sound

Some places never leave us.

They return in a familiar melody, the scent of tea, a sound we haven’t heard in years.

A kettle comes to a boil. A low murmur rises to a whistle. Let it stretch into a note, the follow it somewhere unexpected: into an ancient legend from northeastern China, across a Canadian landscape, towards a distant flourish of Scottish bagpipe.

On November 21, Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble presents Steeped in Sound at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Inspired by Chinese tea, the concert explores the places we carry and the homes we make, inviting you to listen as you might taste: slowly, curiously, noticing what lingers.

Traditional Chinese instruments meet Canadian folk influences and contemporary improvisation. Delicate strings give way to exuberant percussion; a melody takes an unexpected turn. Like a familiar tea prepared somewhere new, the music holds onto its roots while taking on a different character.

There are memories in these sounds, but also playfulness, surprise and the pleasure of discovering an unlikely combination that works.

Hosted by Ginalina, the concert features Jirong Huang, Sarah Yusha Tan, Zhongxi Wu, Xiaoqi Feng, Sijia Huang and Bruce Henczel. Together, they bring an array of sounds to the room, from erhu, guzheng and ruan to sheng, suona, keyboard, percussion and bagpipe.

Spend a November afternoon inside the music. Let the city wait a little.