Soul Journey, Ten Years (2018)
Presented by Siong Leng Musical Association
Growing out of an idea gestated in 2008, Soul Journey has evolved into an experience and endeavour that aspires to awaken the senses and breathe new life into nanyin.
Ten years after its groundbreaking premiere, Soul Journey returns in the re-energised form of Soul Journey, Ten Years, a joint effort by artistic director Lin Shao Ling, cross-disciplinary artist Lim Chin Huat and composer Ng Kang Kee. Presented in a minimalist style with strong influences of Zen philosophy, this multi-disciplinary performance joins vocals and traditional Chinese instruments with Western and Indian ones such as the cello and the tabla to create a soundscape that is familiar but also fresh and invigorating.
Comprising six movements: Germinate, Awakening, Introspection, Purity, Happiness, Heart and Enlightenment, this bold new reinterpretation of nanyin depicts the cycle of life and the different stages of self-realisation that make up one’s spiritual journey. Integrating theatre, dance and multimedia elements, Soul Journey, Ten Years will challenge every preconception of nanyin as an art form.
Presented by Siong Leng Musical Association in association with Esplanade, Soul Journey, Ten Years was performed at Esplanade Concert Hall on 23 June 2018 as the opening act of International Youth Nanyin Festival 2018.
Five things to know about nanyin
1. Nanyin (南音) also known as “Music of the South” originated from the coastal city of Quanzhou in China’s Fujian province almost 2,000 years ago with roots that can be traced back to the Han dynasty.
2. In more recent times, nanyin has followed the Chinese diaspora, making its way to countries such as Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
3. The current state of nanyin remains close to its most traditional form with music, lyrics and performance methods hailing from the Song and Tang dynasties.
4. Nanyin is traditionally performed by five musicians, with the vocalist seated in the middle and holding a clapper to set the beat. Two musicians on the left would play the dongxiao (bamboo flute) and erxian (two-stringed fiddle). On the vocalist's right, another two musicians would play the pipa (Chinese lute) and sanxian (three-stringed fiddle).
5. Dubbed the living fossil of ancient Chinese music, nanyin was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009.
Soul Journey, Ten Years
Siong Leng Musical Association (SLMA) was established in 1941 and since then, it has grown into one of Singapore’s most notable music ensembles. Under the guidance of its late chairman Mr Teng Mah Seng, SLMA became known as a premier arts company with a mandate to preserve, promote and revitalise the art of nanyin. In 1983, SLMA brought nanyin to international prominence when it came in third in the "Folk Solo" category of the 37th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod with Mr Teng’s composition Reminiscence. Over the years, SLMA has continued to nurture the next generation of nanyin practitioners while touring major cities across Asia, Europe, and the United States. A recipient of the National Arts Council Major Grant from 2019–2022, SLMA was conferred the inaugural “Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award” by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre in 2017.
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