Ripples of Sound

This spring, step into the timeless elegance of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, where the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble will perform Ripples of Sound, a celebration of both traditional and contemporary Chinese music and culture.
 

Like the gentle strike of a gong dipped into the pond, its vibrations ripple outward, stirring the garden’s tranquil waters and drawing koi fish to the surface—a call to gather, a symbol of abundance, and a joyful welcome to the arrival of spring.
 

The ensemble will perform musical compositions by Yong Sun and Alan Lau, each deeply rooted in their Chinese heritage and embracing cross-cultural idioms.

Yong Sun’s Picking Tea Leaves and Chasing Butterflies evokes the tea-growing landscapes in Fujian, where the delicate ripples of tea poured into a cup are a metaphor for the flowing, interconnected nature of sound and life. Alan Lau’s Sea View reflects on the eternal rhythm of ocean waves, where ripples repeat and echo themes from the past, creating a meditative connection between time and nature.
 

Set against the serene backdrop of the garden’s shimmering ponds, blooming lily pads, and traditional architecture, join the heron perched on the pagoda as it watches the koy and listens in on this concert, honoring the profound connection between music and water. Let the Ripples of Sound guide you through an afternoon of tranquility, beauty, and cultural harmony, where every note flows like water, connecting past and present