Taiwanese guqin player Yuan Jung-ping will lead audiences into the spiritual realm of guqin this weekend in Shekou.

Formerly a rock star in the 1970s, Yuan later studied the guqin, a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family. Donning a Taoist outfit for his performances, Yuan is able to achieve a unification of nature, spirituality and breathing. “For musicians, instrument technique is not difficult. All that matters is making a dialogue with yourself, then you can strike a chord for the audience,” said Yuan.

His first teacher was master Sun Yuqin, and he then finished his music training with master Wu Zhaoji. Using traditional silk strings when performing, his playing is noble and carries with it an ancient mood, enabling him to achieve a unification of will, breathing and spirit, and become one with heaven.

He is also a guqin collector and maker and a master in calligraphy and tai-chi. Yuan has taught guqin music widely in China and North America. He is a founding member of the New York Qin Society and is now chairperson of the Chinese Guqin Association and director of the Taipei Qin Hall.

Time: 8 p.m., Nov. 3

Tickets: 380 yuan

Venue: Mountain View Theater, Sea World Culture and Arts Center, 1187 Wanghai Road, Shekou, Nanshan District (南山区蛇口望海路1187号海上世界文化艺术中心境山剧场)

Metro: Line 2 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A

(SD News)