The sounds of ancient Greek Lyre, were heard for the first time in China. Renown Guzheng virtuoso Chang Jing gave a concert in Shanghai in which she played the ancient Greek instrument.

Chang Jing recently finished her music travel in Greece, together with the Xiao (Chinese flute) musician Zhang Di, during which they recorded a historical Chinese-Greek crossover album with the Ancient Greek “Lyre band Lyre ‘n’ Rhapsody”, and offered two Guzheng concerts in Athens and Santorini, with the improvisation with Lyre ‘n’ Rhapsody and Ross Daly.

The instruments, made by Yiannis Stathakos, were brought to China by Eley Yuan of Meet Culture in the last Chinese New Year in February 2015. These two lyres have been the first and the only ones in China. Meet Culture, an organization aiming at strengthening Greek-Chinese relationships is making efforts to introduce this iconic instrument that represents the western music to Chinese people.

“After the Lyre performance of Chang Jing in Shanghai, more and more Chinese music fans are becoming aware about Ancient Greek Lyre, as well as Greek music and Greek culture,” notes Eley Yuan.

(Photos by Meet Culture)



