New song displays combination of bel canto and Shaanxi folk music

New song The Joy of Harvest was released on Chinese music platforms on Jan 9, performed by tenor Zhang Yingxi and soprano of Chinese folk music Xue Hanmeng.

Written by lyricist Liang Mang and composer Ma Ke, the song combines bel canto with the folk singing style of northern Shaanxi province.

In unison with its self-explanatory title, it tells of the cheerfulness and fulfillment of a good harvest after the hard work of farmers and workers in general.

Xue has been immersed in the folk music of northern Shaanxi province as she was born in Yan’an, and continued to receive music education at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

Zhang also graduated from and later became a teacher at the conservatory. It was his idea to collaborate with Xue in a song that integrates both singing styles.

“He is very experienced in controlling and handling the styles of songs, so the final presentation of this combination of bel canto and folk music seems very natural,” Xue said.

“Music is not bounded by nationality. We shouldn’t limit ourselves to one singing style. As long as the music is properly structured, the combination of different styles can provide harmonious results.”

The music video for the song is directed by Zheng Hao and his team.