Chinese musical heritage takes centre stage in Nairobi concert

Nairobi, Kenya witnessed a remarkable concert on November 15, 2023, as the Kenya National Theatre came alive with the ancient sounds of Chinese music. Over 300 people gathered to celebrate the fusion of Chinese and African musical traditions in a 70-minute concert organized by the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA). The event featured the Beijing Golden Bell Star Chinese Chamber Orchestra and the African Women’s Orchestra, presenting a diverse range of compositions that brought together centuries-old Chinese melodies and familiar African tunes.

A standout performance was Zhao Xiaoxia’s rendition of Flowing Water, an ancient guqin composition that traces its origins back more than three millennia. This seven-stringed zither, known for its association with scholars and intellectuals, was brought to life by Guan Pinghu, who reconstructed the piece from a historical collection of guqin music.

The performance drew on the emotional connection between Boya and Zhong Ziqi, two friends who communicated through music, symbolizing a timeless bond of understanding and friendship.

Another poignant piece was The Moon Reflected in Erquan Spring, an expressive piece for erhu played by Wang Ying. This composition, associated with melancholy and reflection, was created by the blind musician Hua Yanjun, whose life and music were marked by hardship. The erhu, a two-stringed bowed instrument with a history stretching back centuries, provided a hauntingly beautiful sound that resonated deeply with the audience.

The concert also included a lively performance of Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, a traditional Shandong folk tune played on the suona, a powerful double-reed wind instrument. Originating from Middle Eastern instruments, the suona became a staple in Chinese musical traditions, especially in celebrations and folk performances. Its inclusion provided a lively contrast to the more introspective pieces played earlier in the concert.

In a notable moment of cultural exchange, the African Women’s Orchestra performed Malaika, a beloved Swahili love song with strong ties to East African musical heritage. While its authorship remains a subject of debate, Tanzanian musician Adam Salim is often credited with its creation, while Kenyan singer Fadhili William popularized it through his recordings. This addition brought a familiar African melody into the concert, bridging the musical traditions of China and Africa.

The diverse programme also featured New Horse Racing, an erhu ensemble composition, and Ode to Chu, an erhu duet. In addition, soprano Wu Bixia performed The River Flows Clear, a Yunnan folk song, and a selection from Gaetano Donizetti’s opera Don Pasquale, performed by soprano Zhang Yi. The concert began on the theatre’s courtyard with outdoor performances and cultural activities before moving indoors for the main event.

Co-hosted by the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Beijing Musicians Association, the concert was part of the 2026 China-Africa cultural exchange programme, aimed at promoting cultural diplomacy and strengthening people-to-people connections. For the Kenyan audience, the evening offered more than just an introduction to unfamiliar instruments; it provided a glimpse into the rich stories, traditions, and experiences that have shaped Chinese music over centuries.

The concert highlighted the universal language of music, demonstrating how cultural exchange can foster appreciation and understanding between different societies.