Nanyin Performance at Thian Hock Keng on 23 Mar 11 2M19 二月十九

From a long tradition of honouring Guan Yin in Thian Hock Keng, three times a year, Siong Leng Musical Association performs on the three festival days, namely, in Chinese Lunar Calendar, 2M19, 6M19 and 9M19.

The first performance for this new lunar year, Siong Leng added some innovations into the show. A piano was added to add in new sounds to the traditional music. For the song dedicated to Singapore, two girls no older than 8 years old sang the "Garden of the East" 东方花园. A song composed by the late Mr. Teng Mah Seng 丁马成 in 1982 praising Singapore's meritocracy, stability, peace and racial harmony, the meaning of the song is now passed on to the younger generation.

This performance, also known as Teng Mah Seng Nanyin Concert III, is part of a series of concerts performed in memory of Mr. Teng who composed a couple of hundred of new Nanyin pieces, which have been internationally recognised. This year, 2011, also marks the 70th Anniversary of Siong Leng Musical Association.

Here is a video clip, recorded live from Thian Hock Keng on 23 Mar 2011. This song entitled "An Unforgettable Song" 一曲难忘 was written by Mr. Teng Mah Seng in 1981, a creative adaptation of the pop song "An Unforgettable Song" most notably of the classical parts on "everlasting love" and "unforgettable".

Nanyin at Thian Hock Keng

On 23 Mar 2011, that is the 19th day of the 2nd Lunar Month, Thian Hock Keng celebrates in honour of the first feast day of Guan Yin. As part of a tradition for the past two decades, Siong Leng Musical Association will present a Nanyin performance in the temple in the evening of this day. Be there by 7.30pm to catch the performance.

It will be like what it was in the past years, where devotees and people of all ages come together to enjoy an age old Southern Sounds, music and songs with musical instruments that were played and sung since the Tang Dynasty.

This is a picture of a Liyuan performance held in October last year, that was 9M19, the third feast day of Guan Yin.

Be seeing you there and do pass the word along for this rather rare performance in Singapore. Nanyin is one of  UNESCO's Intangible Heritage.

Welcome to Nanyin - the Southern Sounds

As part of our effort in sharing our ancient tradition, keeping it alive, and in encouraging anyone interested to join us to learn more about this ancient music and songs, we are launching this blog to tell more about Nanyin and the activities that Siong Leng will be organising.

Please share with your friends who might be interested.

Watch out for more news from this space!