Musical notes for new China

Piano prodigy Lang Lang claimed piano represented modern China when referring to his performance at the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony. It is arguable whether piano best represents modern China but Lang Lang is for sure a good representation of modern China, especially when he plays the Yellow River Cantata.

The fact that there are amazingly more people playing the piano today in China than anywhere else in the world may convince many that piano has become a symbol of contemporary China.

However, will our traditional instruments such as guqin and guzheng be lifted to also represent modern China, since playing these instruments has always been regarded as an accomplishment in our culture?