北师大版高中英语Module 2 Unit 5 Lesson 3 Experiment in Folk
Kong Goes for Folk!
The famous classical pianist, Kong Xiangdong, surprised his fans last week by giving a concert combining classical music with Chinese folk music. Kong explained that he tried this because he wanted to create something new.
“As a musician, playing the same music in different cities of the world is very boring,” says Kong. He also feels that playing Chinese folk music on the piano can help bring it to the rest of the world.
Music has always been part of Kong's world. As his mother was a great music lover, he lived with music from birth. But it wasn't always easy for the young Kong Xiangdong. His mother couldn't buy him a piano until he was seven. She had to draw piano keys on a piece of paper so that he could learn to play as early as possible. The 5-year-old Kong would practice on the paper piano as his mother clapped the rhythm. He was made to practise the piano so much that, at times, he thought about giving up. However, he didn't quit, and he became a great pianist. In 1986, at the age of 18, he became the youngest prize winner in Moscow's Tchaikovsky International Competition. He went on to win awards in competitions across the world.
Because of Kong's talent and hard work, he became famous worldwide. But after years of performing, he felt that in some ways he had lost his identity. This is why he went back to his roots and rediscovered the beauty in Chinese folk music. He began experimenting with different styles and his Dream Tour Concert is the result.
Kong's new experiment in Chinese folk music is so important to him that he even changed his appearance. When he arrived at his concert last week, he had shaved off all his hair! Since his music style was new, he decided his hairstyle had to be new too!
Whether Kong is changing his appearance or transforming his music, he is a pioneer in music today. The concert last week was such a success that Kong's Dream Tour Concert is expected to run for the next two years in Beijing, Shanghai, and other main cities before going to Paris and New York.