Traditional Chinese musical instruments are on display at the Erquan Yingyue Music Museum. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
The Erquan Yingyue Music Museum in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, opened to the public on Aug 17.
Erquan Yingyue, or The Moon Reflected on the Erquan Spring, is a famous masterpiece composed by legendary local figure Hua Yanjun, better known as Ah Bing.
Within the exhibition space, a manuscript featuring numbered musical notation alongside a wire recorder from 1950, used to record the Erquan Yingyue, is displayed in protective cases. The gongche notation and old recordings of Erquan Yingyue hang on the walls, silently narrating the poignant stories of Ah Bing.
A surround sound system fills the air with the melodies of Erquan Yingyue, while an interactive multimedia wall allows visitors to conduct a virtual orchestra and experience their own interpretations of the music.
"Here, you can hear various versions of Erquan Yingyue," a visitor surnamed Li, was moved after listening to different renditions of the masterpiece through headphones, including those played by traditional Chinese and orchestral instruments. "This is a great way to preserve and promote Erquan Yingyue, helping Wuxi's music reach the world."
Young visitors also had their takeaways. Before visiting the museum, Qin Xiaojun only knew of Ah Bing and the erhu but had no deeper understanding. After the visit, he had a new experience. "I was impressed by the erhu and guqin. The music is very smooth, and I want to create music like that in the future," he said.
"By digitizing traditional blocks and combining sound, light, and electricity with interactive performances, we bring Wuxi's musical stories to life at Yingyueli Block," said Li Chenchen, marketing director of Wuxi Huayin Cultural Tourism Management Co. In the future, the Erquan Yingyue Music Museum will collaborate with 308 Hall to create a music block, adding vibrancy to Wuxi's night economy.
