Hutong

Hutong, composed in 1985, was originally titled The Old Man’s Story. It premiered the same year at Ye Xiaogang’s solo concert in Beijing, performed by the China Central Orchestra conducted by Shao En, with Tan Longjian on the sanxian. In this piece, the composer skillfully incorporates folk music elements from the Beijing region, including Jingyun dagu, Yueting dagu, and Beijing quju, showcasing the unique local charm and character of Beijing. The year 1985 marked a significant period of China’s reform and opening-up, a time when diverse ideologies and understandings of social development were emerging. Hutong symbolizes an in-depth exploration and reflection on China’s history and culture, expressing the composer‘s personal perspectives and thoughts on the progression of Chinese culture during that historical era.