LIFE> Travel
|
LIFE> Travel
|
|
Captain Nico's mandolin
By Jules Quartly (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-16 09:49
Da Fei, who imagines the Emerald Isle's rolling green fields when he plays guitar, says there is nothing dissonant about Chinese people playing Irish music. "We live in an international society. A Chinese person playing the blues or Irish music isn't that special. Lots of Chinese like Irish music, so its natural," he says. Accordionist Wang Yi has been studying the instrument since she was four years old, when her parents decided on her musical path because they liked the teacher. After graduating from Tianjin Conservatory of Music she went to France and studied with the renowned accordionist Frdric Deschamps. She says Irish music is passionate and the structure is fairly simple, with similarities to Chinese music in terms of melody and chord structure. Wang says she understands French culture a bit but has been developing a love for all things Irish since the Dublingers were formed. "I didn't celebrate St. Patrick's much before last year but I knew that Irish liked to get together and drink and wear green hats." The last item makes her laugh because wearing a green hat in Chinese culture means that your partner is being unfaithful. Torrese, who prefers Murphy's beer to Guinness and enjoys a drop of Bushmills whiskey, says the Dublingers are a break from teaching guitar and playing jazz, what he calls his "day job". "Playing the mandolin and banjo is totally different, like a holiday. Of course I have to practice a lot, it's like sport, but it's good to have a break." He says Chinese audiences appreciate Irish music because the ballads and melodies sound familiar. "Then there are the faster songs, which have a lot of energy," he says. "These kind of songs don't really exist in Chinese music, but we get a pretty good response, people tap their feet and dance, especially after a few drinks." Paddy O'Shea's publican and amateur musicologist Karl Logan has lined up the Dublingers to play at his Beijing bar. Logan is very impressed by the band's Irish authenticity. "Nico has been to Ireland and knows what he's doing," he says. "It sounds fresh and well rehearsed to me. What might make them even better was a bit of improvisation - and the addition of a set of spoons." |
