WEBVTT 00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:11.088 Instrumental music from a distance age, 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.755 The melody of China, 00:00:21.866 --> 00:00:29.622 Accentuated by... an exclusive blending of East and West. 00:00:36.533 --> 00:00:39.466 THE MUSIC OF SHEN YUN 00:00:41.933 --> 00:00:45.466 [Johnny Stuart – Music Director] Min-d Blowing! The music is just phenomenal. 00:00:45.466 --> 00:00:47.555 [Diane Wilkinson – Floral Designer] My husband was even brought to tears. 00:00:47.555 --> 00:00:51.844 He’s a big man and he’s never in tears except with music. 00:00:51.844 --> 00:00:57.555 [Mennato Forgione – Director of Business Development] Great energy and just reach the levels of vibrate within the audience. 00:00:57.555 --> 00:00:59.755 [Leon Natker – Conductor] Putting together classical Chinese instruments 00:00:59.755 --> 00:01:04.555 and classical western instruments is a way toward the future from me as a musician. 00:01:09.088 --> 00:01:14.066 [Milen Nachev – Conductor, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra] It’s so difficult to achieve the perfect integration for every orchestra. 00:01:14.066 --> 00:01:17.422 This is most challenging working onto any music. 00:01:18.866 --> 00:01:20.133 [Keng-Wei Kou - Conductor, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra] All around the world, 00:01:20.133 --> 00:01:25.333 many orchestras have tried to combine the elements of Chinese and western mucsic and it almost always fail. 00:01:25.330 --> 00:01:29.777 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] Both the musical systems are excellent but it’s just like cooking, 00:01:29.800 --> 00:01:31.511 you might have great ingredients 00:01:31.511 --> 00:01:34.888 but if you don’t understand the characteristics of the ingredients 00:01:34.888 --> 00:01:38.777 and just stir fire random things together, it simply won’t taste good. 00:01:41.288 --> 00:01:47.222 Shen Yun’s original music features the perfect harmony of classical eastern and western music. 00:01:47.577 --> 00:01:53.688 The western orchestra is the foundation enhancing the distinct sound of Chinese instruments. 00:01:53.688 --> 00:01:57.422 The melody of ancient middle kingdom severs at the bedrock 00:01:57.422 --> 00:02:01.444 and it is with the western orchestra that Shen Yun brings them to life. 00:02:01.955 --> 00:02:08.155 This is a new frontier in classical music and it what makes Shun Yun’s music unique. 00:02:09.155 --> 00:02:13.800 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] Shen Yun has a unique way of blending east and west and as composers, 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:17.755 we need to have a foundation of both western and eastern traditions. 00:02:17.755 --> 00:02:26.244 Shen Yun artistic goals and aspirations are very demanding that requires a lot of us both technically and spiritually. 00:02:26.468 --> 00:02:29.657 There’re certain special methods exclusive to Shen Yun. 00:02:32.537 --> 00:02:38.068 So what are these exclusive methods? Let’s get a little closer and see for ourselves. 00:02:38.375 --> 00:02:42.679 DEEPLY ROOTED IN A GRAND CULTURE 00:02:45.108 --> 00:02:49.108 Located in New York State, Shen Yun Performing Arts mission 00:02:49.108 --> 00:02:53.188 is to revise the traditional culture that had almost been lost. 00:02:55.348 --> 00:02:58.697 Classical Chinese Dance is Shen Yun’s main art form 00:02:59.565 --> 00:03:03.691 and most original Shen Yun’s music is created for its dances. 00:03:03.885 --> 00:03:06.422 It displays China traditional melodies. 00:03:07.874 --> 00:03:13.897 Just like that, music can also present different times, places, characters and moods. 00:03:17.028 --> 00:03:19.828 China has 5 millennia worth of culture. 00:03:20.194 --> 00:03:27.611 From the melodic styles of over 50 ethnic groups to grand imperial court music and […] folk tunes. 00:03:27.897 --> 00:03:31.554 This heritage is an endless source of inspiration. 00:03:45.931 --> 00:03:47.885 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] The music also embody this. 00:03:47.885 --> 00:03:49.988 We have to get the form of the music right. 00:03:49.988 --> 00:03:53.965 For example, The Lady of The Tang court were very elegant. 00:03:57.062 --> 00:04:01.577 During the Qing Dynasty, the princesses have this noble air. 00:04:04.285 --> 00:04:10.114 The male dancers are masculate and vigorous. The Tang imperial drum is all drums and brass. 00:04:11.462 --> 00:04:15.325 On the other hand, the female dancers display gentle beauty, 00:04:15.320 --> 00:04:18.891 so you hear most strings, pipa, lighter instrument. 00:04:20.742 --> 00:04:26.022 Creating Daoism music we go for mystical air and a strong sense of integrity. 00:04:27.062 --> 00:04:32.171 Buddha’s music is solemn and merciful, the […] embodies the dignity. 00:04:32.697 --> 00:04:38.388 Put key chains on the same melody, the […] for the Monkey King suddenly becomes nimble and playful. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:45.451 As for Pigsy, the trumbon at the body accentuate the clumsiness and the Sona (??) on top, 00:04:45.451 --> 00:04:47.588 gives you a very comical feeling. 00:04:47.588 --> 00:04:52.205 And in each corner of China, you’ll find different customs and styles. 00:04:52.880 --> 00:04:56.811 [Junyi Tan - Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] Northeastern music for example, tends to favor this sona. 00:05:01.440 --> 00:05:05.542 The region south of the Yangzi River tends to use the pipa a little more. 00:05:06.937 --> 00:05:09.760 Mongolians use a lot of vibratos. 00:05:11.440 --> 00:05:15.051 And other ethnic groups have their own unique styles and characteristics. 00:05:20.845 --> 00:05:24.045 China was once known as The Land of the Divine, 00:05:24.411 --> 00:05:28.365 a magnificent civilization said to has been bestowed from above. 00:05:30.194 --> 00:05:36.160 From the earliest music of the ancient Emperors to the bells and chimes of four millennia gold; 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:42.331 from the classical poetry of the Zhou Dynasty and Warring States to those of the Han Dynasty; 00:05:42.982 --> 00:05:48.114 from the grand melodies of the Swei and Tang to Song Dynasty poetry based music; 00:05:48.594 --> 00:05:55.211 the opera and drama of the Yuan Dynasty all the way to the folk songs and ditty of the Ming and Qing 00:05:55.211 --> 00:05:59.108 and even the emergent original tunes and Pekking opera. 00:06:00.525 --> 00:06:04.320 Each Dynasty adopted vastly different musical forms. 00:06:04.742 --> 00:06:06.994 Their melodies are rich yet simple. 00:06:06.994 --> 00:06:10.582 Each with its own heritage and lasting contribution. 00:06:12.411 --> 00:06:16.388 [Keng-Wei Kou - Conductor, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra] Most people assume that Chinese music only has a pentatonic skill, 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:20.411 but actually historical records show that as earliest the Yellow Emperor, 00:06:20.411 --> 00:06:24.582 around 2,600B.C, a twelve known scale was already in use. 00:06:28.205 --> 00:06:31.668 Ancient Chinese music had many kinds of instruments 00:06:31.668 --> 00:06:35.805 and a very comprehensive system of music theory and principles. 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:41.840 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] The Tang Dynasty Performance Group has as many as a hundred and eighty musicians. 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:45.154 Some say that was the earliest symphony orchestra. 00:06:48.034 --> 00:06:51.600 Looking back at history's development over thousands of years, 00:06:51.942 --> 00:06:57.440 we see that China's traditional music is wolven into human kind’s culture legacy. 00:06:58.948 --> 00:07:00.994 Through early cultural exchange, 00:07:00.994 --> 00:07:07.485 the 12 tone chromatic system invented by a Ming Dynasty prince spread from China to the west. 00:07:07.954 --> 00:07:10.857 Today it is the basis of western music. 00:07:12.354 --> 00:07:16.514 It was as if an age of creativity has swept across the world 00:07:16.617 --> 00:07:20.628 by the time that Yuan Dynasty was producing a range of operas and other arts. 00:07:20.891 --> 00:07:26.925 The west, likewise entered their renaissance period and western music was reaching its pinnacle. 00:07:27.474 --> 00:07:35.668 Evolving from accompaniment to dance and […], the symphony orchestra was gradually refined and perfected. 00:07:39.005 --> 00:07:44.320 Shen Yun uses the symphony orchestra as the core then integrate Chinese instruments 00:07:44.320 --> 00:07:49.462 creating a profoundly fulfilling musical experience for the people of today. 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:54.834 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] We wanted to choose a form that all nationalities could accept. 00:07:55.051 --> 00:07:59.462 The western orchestra sound is terrific and is a widely accepted form, 00:07:59.462 --> 00:08:05.051 so we took these two comprehensive systems and combined the best each has to offer. 00:08:05.657 --> 00:08:08.834 [Junyi Tan - Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] Shen Yun music is based on Chinese melodies. 00:08:08.834 --> 00:08:12.971 We use the western orchestra as a backdrop, as the way of underlining. 00:08:13.234 --> 00:08:16.320 We’re not entirely using western arrangement methods. 00:08:16.679 --> 00:08:21.518 DISTINCT ARRANGEMENT METHODS 00:08:22.365 --> 00:08:27.234 Traditional Chinese music emphasizes the expression of inner feelings. 00:08:27.234 --> 00:08:31.725 The ancients always use musical instruments to convey their states of mind. 00:08:32.684 --> 00:08:38.102 Western music, meanwhile, emphasizes the effect of the ensemble and to achieve that, 00:08:38.102 --> 00:08:41.542 arrangement and harmony are of utmost importance. 00:08:42.057 --> 00:08:44.868 Shen Yun combines these two approaches. 00:08:46.022 --> 00:08:48.068 [Junyi Tan - Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] Between these two systems, 00:08:48.068 --> 00:08:53.508 the first major distinction is the instrument, but the most fundamental different is the internality. 00:08:53.508 --> 00:08:58.331 Just look at these strings, the erhu (??) and the violin have completely difference timbre or tone caller. 00:08:58.331 --> 00:09:03.211 The pipa is plucked and there is no equivalent to it among western instruments. 00:09:03.211 --> 00:09:07.817 Once these two instruments appear, the western symphony can’t submerge that. 00:09:08.194 --> 00:09:11.142 That's because their musical features are so unique. 00:09:19.508 --> 00:09:22.217 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] The ancient focused on each individual note 00:09:22.217 --> 00:09:25.062 and each note could be expressed in many different ways. 00:09:25.062 --> 00:09:27.817 They also emphasized the transitions between notes. 00:09:27.810 --> 00:09:33.154 It just like how Chinese dance stresses that space between one movement and the next should have rythm to it. 00:09:33.154 --> 00:09:36.137 Chinese music is also this way the rhythms 00:09:36.137 --> 00:09:40.365 and feelings between notes are big parts of Chinese music special tonality. 00:09:40.662 --> 00:09:43.245 For example, on the piano you play do re mi, 00:09:43.245 --> 00:09:46.697 but on the Chinese instrument you rarely hear note played like that. 00:09:46.697 --> 00:09:50.365 The score may not say anything more, may just say do re mi, 00:09:50.365 --> 00:09:53.234 but it’s up to the musician to bring out the feeling. 00:09:58.857 --> 00:10:00.068 That kind of feeling. 00:10:04.914 --> 00:10:07.337 When Chinese and western instruments come together, 00:10:07.337 --> 00:10:10.685 some instruments can be combined well but others simply can’t. 00:10:11.725 --> 00:10:14.765 So what method can be used to put them in harmony? 00:10:16.377 --> 00:10:17.600 [Junyi Tan - Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] These past few years, 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:20.057 Shen Yun has defined its own arrangement methods. 00:10:20.171 --> 00:10:23.634 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] It’s the same with different musical temperament, 00:10:23.634 --> 00:10:27.051 we come up with some special ways making them work together. 00:10:28.111 --> 00:10:33.282 PURE ENERGY 00:10:36.520 --> 00:10:40.948 [Tony Carroll – Entrepreneur] It’s a wonderful culture. All the things are beneficial to humanity in general. 00:10:40.948 --> 00:10:42.331 [Elizabath Stafford – Arts Philanthropist] It’s almost heavenly. 00:10:42.330 --> 00:10:47.405 [Amer Moheidden – Drummer] Seriously, I love all the music [….] 00:10:47.405 --> 00:10:50.228 [Haitao Wang – Student] It has the righteous energy. It fills you with words. 00:10:50.228 --> 00:10:52.445 [Janice Bostic – International Union] I’m in pain 24 hours a day 00:10:53.245 --> 00:10:56.011 and I don’t take pain pills because they do not work. 00:10:56.011 --> 00:11:00.811 And I lost myself in music tonight and I don’t feel any pain right now. 00:11:04.034 --> 00:11:08.240 When people today are struct by such feelings strange of performance, 00:11:08.514 --> 00:11:13.028 perhaps they do not realize the ancient wisdom behind it all. 00:11:13.737 --> 00:11:19.268 [Junyi Tan - Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] The Chinese character or word for ‘medicine’ comes from the word for ‘music’. 00:11:19.497 --> 00:11:23.668 When you add the grass radical to ‘music’, you’ll get the word ‘medicine’. 00:11:23.828 --> 00:11:29.314 Ancient Chinese know that music has the power to heal. Modern medicine has now proven this. 00:11:31.771 --> 00:11:36.377 Over the course of 5,000 years, the world view that man 00:11:36.377 --> 00:11:45.040 and heaven are one and that all matter has life has permeated all aspects of Chinese culture including music. 00:11:46.422 --> 00:11:52.422 The Records of The Grand Historian states ‘music is a harmony with heaven and earth’; 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:59.634 ‘virtuous elegant music is an alignment with the motions of matter and with principles of human health, 00:11:59.634 --> 00:12:02.068 it possesses a pure energy.’ 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:06.514 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] The 5 notes of the ancient pentatonic scale for example, 00:12:06.514 --> 00:12:09.177 are connected to China's theory of 5 elements. 00:12:09.302 --> 00:12:15.360 The first note, gong(?), is connect to the earth element which cause one to the digestive system. 00:12:15.554 --> 00:12:18.354 Music based on this note makes the person feel serene. 00:12:18.788 --> 00:12:22.891 The third note, jue(?) was connected to the wood element and relates to liver health. 00:12:23.211 --> 00:12:27.017 In the past it was the concept of elegant music that nurtured virtue 00:12:27.017 --> 00:12:29.268 that places the person organs in harmony. 00:12:29.268 --> 00:12:31.485 It really has a healing effect. 00:12:31.908 --> 00:12:37.725 A lot of music nowadays is dedicant, noisy, chaotic and provoke senses it wounds your body. 00:12:37.988 --> 00:12:40.971 Shen Yun just use its classical composing method. 00:12:41.511 --> 00:12:44.614 A DIVINE REALM 00:12:45.531 --> 00:12:51.805 As Shen Yun gains international prominence, its original music has also drawn wide attention. 00:12:52.971 --> 00:12:58.822 In 2012, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra played its international debut at Carnegie Hall. 00:12:59.257 --> 00:13:01.885 In 2013, it began touring. 00:13:05.771 --> 00:13:09.794 [Col. Baron – U.S. Army and Air Force, retired] It was the most outstanding performance that we’ve seen. 00:13:13.885 --> 00:13:18.057 [Betsy Swann – Writer] You know with the music you can picture the mountains and the seasons and, 00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:22.822 you know, snow falling and for me, the visual was all nature. 00:13:22.822 --> 00:13:25.725 [Pandora Spelios – Greek radio hostess] It sent you to another place, like fairy tale. 00:13:29.165 --> 00:13:36.582 [Michele Berk – Hollywood Producer] The music of China has such haunting melody. It just seduces you. 00:13:36.582 --> 00:13:41.005 [Jim Crill – Producer] The music captured all the dynamics of the human spirit. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:45.017 [Michael Duckett – Social scientist and physician] The unspoken words that were so loud that you can feel them in yourself. 00:13:45.028 --> 00:13:46.030 [Michael Blaszko – Case Management Supervisor] It gets you right here. 00:13:47.977 --> 00:13:55.428 Music comes from the heart. Be performing music or enjoying it, it is actually heart to heart communication. 00:13:57.314 --> 00:14:00.674 [Dale Robertson – Entrepreneur] It is so moving. It transcends all cultures, all languages. 00:14:00.857 --> 00:14:04.022 I mean it makes you celebrate humanity 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:11.417 [Margaux Brooks – Film producer] You transcended to a higher stage of consciousness which is a divine state of mind. 00:14:11.417 --> 00:14:14.137 [Arthur galbraith – Cancer researcher] For one thing it has an incredible spiritual message, 00:14:15.131 --> 00:14:19.177 something that goes beyond just traditional religion. It’s just like cosmic. 00:14:21.337 --> 00:14:28.445 Indeed, beyond territorial boundaries, beyond religious divisions, from ancient time, 00:14:28.445 --> 00:14:33.337 Chinese people felt in their hearts a very natural connection with the heavens. 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:40.377 People revere the heavens and the divine and believe that somewhere in the cosmos, 00:14:40.370 --> 00:14:46.422 there is a higher wisdom and that there is some magnificent Law guiding the circle of life, 00:14:47.291 --> 00:14:50.697 that our existence has a more profound meaning. 00:14:52.857 --> 00:14:57.371 Actually, the way of seeking wisdom from heaven is not so mysterious. 00:14:58.114 --> 00:15:02.377 Purify the heart, regulate the breathing, and refine oneself. 00:15:03.017 --> 00:15:08.102 The concept of self-cultivation was infused throughout ancient Chinese cultures. 00:15:08.422 --> 00:15:12.571 It could be seen across all professions and every level of society. 00:15:13.154 --> 00:15:17.554 Many of China's famous ancient artists were in fact, cultivators. 00:15:18.685 --> 00:15:24.811 The ancients said, through music, the depths can be seen, virtuous sound is music, 00:15:24.811 --> 00:15:28.011 the sound of moral excellence is music to the ears. 00:15:28.217 --> 00:15:30.537 They focused on inner cultivation. 00:15:30.948 --> 00:15:35.611 When the ancients played the zither, they were actually cultivating their hearts and minds 00:15:36.708 --> 00:15:40.640 even in today’s China, the society is eroded by atheism, 00:15:40.640 --> 00:15:45.531 this culture of cultivation dating back thousands of years has not vanished. 00:15:50.971 --> 00:15:55.874 In the […] of the city, a group of artist is reviving the tradition, 00:15:55.874 --> 00:15:59.737 calmly putting into practice the way of self-cultivation. 00:16:00.822 --> 00:16:04.777 [Jing Xian – Composer, Shen Yun Performing Arts] The main difference is Shen Yun approaches things from higher stand point. 00:16:04.777 --> 00:16:08.537 It has a higher spiritual level that is a divine nature. 00:16:08.537 --> 00:16:12.960 The ancient said, the Sage plays music in accordance with heaven. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:16.194 This was Chinese culture traditional approach. 00:16:17.782 --> 00:16:21.554 I used to be quite the bragger used to think I’m really something. 00:16:21.554 --> 00:16:23.668 Now I feel like I can’t brag at all. 00:16:23.660 --> 00:16:26.845 I realize that my self improvement is what's most important. 00:16:26.845 --> 00:16:31.120 I can’t be like I was in the past writing music for my personal fame and gain. 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:34.365 Now I think more about what the audience truly needs. 00:16:34.605 --> 00:16:38.891 When I write, I’m now with the mindset of trying to find a harmony with heaven. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:49.474 [Patrick Swiatek – Violin, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra] My first impression when I saw Shen Yun, I want to play there. 00:16:49.805 --> 00:16:52.480 [George Sullivan – French Horn, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra] I had no idea what this was like when I came here, 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:56.857 but I was just terribly moved. The culture is actually amazing. 00:16:57.371 --> 00:17:03.314 The ‘divine’ is just not my everyday vocabulary until I came here. 00:17:03.954 --> 00:17:10.560 And I see so much effort everywhere. It’s got to be Falun Dafa, 00:17:10.560 --> 00:17:13.451 the meditation. It is an amazing experience. 00:17:13.931 --> 00:17:19.702 I know because of that, its' improved my health, it improved my playing, it improved me as a person. 00:17:19.702 --> 00:17:22.068 I become more compassionate towards people. 00:17:22.068 --> 00:17:27.119 [Leatra Hillhouse – Oboe, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra] everybody here is very genuine and it encourages you to become better. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:31.417 It encourages you to be a better person, to be a better musician. 00:17:31.725 --> 00:17:35.828 It makes you excited. It makes you proud to be a part of something like this. 00:17:41.965 --> 00:17:50.091 [Milen Nachev – Conductor, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra] During concert, everybody around me is so deep inside of the music that I even don’t need to conduct. 00:17:51.062 --> 00:18:00.022 Just put my thoughts into the emotion and lead them with eyes. 00:18:01.382 --> 00:18:04.137 That’s, well, such a magical moment. 00:18:05.508 --> 00:18:11.440 [Kim Brown – Marketing Manager] At of the pureness of the soul is how they create beautiful arts, so I think it’s fascinating and you can tell. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:15.314 [Anita Swiatek – Concertmaster, Germany] Shen Yun must be getting help from above. It’s so powerful. 00:18:17.965 --> 00:18:20.948 Throughout our human kind's extensive history, 00:18:21.177 --> 00:18:26.811 the mission of art has long been to take those divine sounds and celestral melodies, 00:18:27.417 --> 00:18:32.662 and the deep inner wisdom behind them, and warm people's hearts. 00:18:36.251 --> 00:18:41.885 [Michael Burgos – IT professional] This is something that timeless that can be shared through our generation and to generations to come. 00:18:41.885 --> 00:18:44.388 [Lisa Sherman – Dietitian] I would absolutely recommend this show, 00:18:44.388 --> 00:18:47.005 not just to my friends but to my enemies too. 00:18:47.005 --> 00:18:52.491 It would help sweeten the whole world, help everybody to become more kind-hearted and 00:18:52.491 --> 00:18:55.451 more light-hearted and to see the world from that perspective of beauty.