(Clearwisdom.net) A group of students in China watched the Divine Performing Arts on DVD during their music class and shared their feelings and understandings of the music and traditional Chinese culture.
Ruo Bin: Watching the "Loyalty of Yue Fei" and hearing the impassioned music affected me deeply. I gained a different understanding of Yue Fei, not simply about his being resolute and steadfast! The show rejuvenated this ancient story anew and aroused the deepest resonance in my heart! Sometimes pale words are not enough to express everything in our hearts. China has the most ancient music, which may be more powerful in helping people understand more deeply about what the composer tries to express, as well as the spirit of the nation. Hearing the music and watching the show impressed me so deeply, I was in tears!
Qi Xiang: It is a joy to listen to classical music, and it is also a way to further understand the folk art and our nation's 5,000-year of history. It is not enough for one to simply have classical music knowledge. Besides enjoying the show, we need to think about current issues as they relate to us.
What impressed me the most was the story of the great hero Yue Fei, who lived in the Nan Song Dynasty, who was portrayed in the "Loyalty of Yue Fei." While he could not complete the filial duty to his parents and be loyal to the country at the same time, he chose loyalty and went to the battlefield to contribute to the country. Later generations had to admire his choice. What would modern people chose? Would we be too fearful to make a choice?
I wish while we enjoyed the classical music, we could not merely appreciate its elegance and the instruments' vivid history, but also think about the deep connotations behind the historical events and the spirit of the characters. We need to learn from the past, contemplate the present, and look forward to the future!
Meng Fei: The music can bring people an inner jolt, as well as resound in their hearts. The music in "Mu Lan" for example, expressed the traditional culture and story, which further makes people feel deeply about Mu Lan's gallantry.
Kai Ming: The show gives us a fresh and quietly elegant feeling. The melodious songs bear a transcendent beauty, different from today's pop music. That comes precisely from the 5,000 year foundation of Chinese history; the very beauty of China; the spirit of the Chinese.
Qiao Yue: The show's presentation of 5000 years of history of the grand Chinese nation gives people a jolt. It is simple and unsophisticated, free from vulgarity. It is different from all other kinds of music. When absorbing it deeply you will find its unique beauty.
Zi Jun: Profound, unsophisticated, serene Chinese classical music melodies describe elegant and moving stories. This is different from Western music. Its melodies are genuine and sincere, and can truly translate the stories into the music, fascinating, and free from vulgarity.
Classical Chinese music has the two completely different rhythmic tempos - fast and slow. The fast tempo usually describes the grand scenery of wars, manifesting the majesty vigor of the Chinese people, and its strong power moves people. Slower tempo expresses mellow natural scenery or lyrical stories, leaving people with a graceful and melodious impression, feeling relaxed, joyful, peaceful and tranquil. Classical Chinese music is the best - it can lift up the Chinese people's bearing and lift the spirit of the Chinese nation!
Jing Yue: China has a profound history, and its music is quite different from Western music. It leaves people the impression that it takes peace as beauty.
Sun Yuan: I think the essence of classical Chinese music is its connotation. The environment is determined by one's mind. One can only truly feel the beauty of the music when one's heart is as tranquil as still water, and one's behavior and character is noble. Music was originally to please the ears, but when it reaches the realm of tranquility and purity it pleases the heart and mind, and makes one feel refreshed and relaxed. But it can only be enlightening and help one gain a realm of purity when one's mind reaches such a level. In other words, only those whose characters are noble can appreciate the music's deep connotation. What the music endows with us is not only the joy of listening, but more is the noble characters. This is also the essence of traditional Chinese music, and what we as later generations should inherit and pass on to the future generations.