Bringing the Voice of History to Hong Kong

Renowned guanzi virtuoso and professor Han Lei recently brought the soulful sounds of this ancient Chinese double-reed instrument to Hong Kong City Hall, captivating audiences with a powerful blend of tradition and innovation. Presented in collaboration with the Hong Kong Cantonese Music Ensemble, the recital—“Lion Rock Alumni”—was the culmination of a shared dream to introduce the guanzi to a broader Hong Kong audience.The guanzi, with its rich, human-like tone and deep historical roots dating back to the Han Dynasty, once flourished in imperial court music and later among the people. Today, it remains a lesser-known gem of Chinese traditional music. Through this concert, Prof. Han aims to change that.“Guanzi carries a kind of sorrow and resonance that feels almost like a voice from the past,” Han explains. “But it can do so much more. We want people to hear its full emotional range.”As a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music and an active performer worldwide, Han has dedicated his career to both preserving the guanzi’s legacy and pushing its creative boundaries. His solo concert in Hong Kong marked a milestone in that mission—offering both stunning performance and heartfelt education.Despite weather delays and travel hurdles, Han’s arrival in Hong Kong was a testament to his dedication to the instrument and its future. The audience responded with warmth and curiosity, many hearing the guanzi for the first time.With concerts like this, Prof. Han Lei is not only performing music—he is giving the guanzi its long-overdue voice in the modern musical world.Filmed and interviewed at Hong Kong City HallJune 15, 2025This is a Chinese programme with Chinese and English subtitles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com