Chinese musician seeks to make ancient instrument relevant to modern times

Wu Tong gives the sheng a new stage with his projects.

"The music composed, arranged and performed by members for Sing Me Home demonstrates the power of curiosity, evolving traditions and cultural exchanges."

In Going Home, a song from the album, which reinvents the wistful melody from the slow movement of a Dvorak symphony, American banjo player Abigail Washburn sang with Wu in Chinese and English.

The sheng player also performed in an arrangement of American classic folk song Little Birdie, along with Grammy-nominated singer Sarah Jarosz.

"Being a member of the Silk Road Ensemble is an important part of my life," says Wu, who joined the ensemble since it was founded.

Although he started to learn the instrument in childhood, Wu didn't fall in love with its sounds until he was 11 years old, when he first improvised with the sheng.

After being enrolled at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing as a sheng student in 1990, Wu and his classmates formed Lunhui, a rock band that played Chinese instruments and the guitar.

Back then Wu sought every possible way to break the mild temperament of the sheng. But as he grew older, he discovered more about the spirit of the ancient instrument and devoted his time to linking it with the contemporary world.

This year has so far been fruitful for the musician. Besides collaborative projects, he also released two solo albums, Wu Tong's Views－Spirit, comprising vocals, and Wu Tong's Views－Cloud, an instrumental one. He has also documented his work with world musicians, including Ma, by publishing the book Wu Tong's Views.

For the MV: Going Home