A natural harmony

In the titular work, Lotus Emerging Out of Water, a classic guzheng piece, Yuan performs with harpist Zhang Xiaodi. The piece is an ode to the elegance of the noble lotus, the roots of which sit in the muddy water, making the flower a symbol of purification.

"Traditionally, we make recordings with an atmosphere of nature by using various sound effects, which is digital and unnatural. By working outdoors at night, I was inspired. The sounds were right there, going on and on," says Li Dakang. "It will create a very different experience for the listeners."

Born and raised in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, Yuan learned to play the piano as a child. At 6 years old, she started to learn to play guzheng, and three years later, she traveled to Beijing to study the ancient musical instrument at the primary school affiliated to the Central Conservatory of Music.

"I was trained as a pianist and guzheng player when I was a little girl, which allowed me to observe two different musical instruments — one from the West and one from the East — at the same time," says Yuan, now a professor of the Central Conservatory of Music.

"As well as the techniques of playing guzheng, the musical instrument has a deep culture and spirit. That's why I chose to become a guzheng soloist," says Yuan.

About two decades ago, as a member of an ensemble founded by avant-garde Chinese composer Liu Sola, Yuan traveled to Germany to perform during an art festival. The sound of guzheng and Liu's vocals against a beat provided by an American jazz musician on drums received warm feedback from the audience.

"We improvised onstage and the musical chemistry couldn't be described in words. It was one of the most memorable performances of my career," says Yuan.

For years, she has been devoted to bridging cultures with her instrument. In 2009, she performed for the former US President Barack Obama during his visit to China. In 2017, she performed at top schools in the US, such as the Juilliard School in New York, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as famous performing arts venues, including the Lincoln Center in New York.

As a teacher, Yuan says that her mission is to not only offer instruction to students at the Central Conservatory of Music, but also to amateurs.

"There are many music lovers playing guzheng, especially children. I am trying to make learning the instrument much more contemporary and fun for them," says Yuan.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn