Music often brings to mind melodies and harmonies from various instruments, but the realm of percussion stands out with its unique and compelling sounds. From drums and cymbals to tambourines and marimbas, percussion instruments come in a diverse range of shapes and sizes.
In 2010, percussionist-conductor Li Biao, in collaboration with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), introduced the inaugural NCPA Percussion Festival. This ambitious event aimed to highlight and popularize percussion instruments. Over nine days, percussionists from across the globe performed at the NCPA, filling the venue with vibrant rhythms.
Now, 14 years later, the festival returns. On August 29, Li announced that the 2024 NCPA Percussion Festival will run from Saturday through October 7, celebrating rhythm with a diverse array of performances.
The 2024 festival, themed “Dragon Soars Across the Seas,” will feature performances from artists and ensembles worldwide, including 11 from countries such as China, Brazil, Germany, and Denmark.
The festival will kick off with a concert by the China National Traditional Orchestra on Saturday. The performance will highlight traditional Chinese percussion instruments, including folk gongs and drums from Jiangzhou, Shanxi Province, and Xi’an Guyue, a musical style blending drums and wind instruments from Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.
“If you’ve been fascinated by the rhythm and energy of percussion instruments, you’re in the right place,” Li said at the NCPA on August 29. “Whether it’s the primal beat of drums or the intricate sounds of the xylophone, this festival offers something unique. If you’re eager to explore new aspects of percussion you haven’t experienced before, you’re also in the right place.”
Li reflected on the enthusiastic response to the festival, noting that percussion instruments, often seen only in orchestras, are celebrated as solo instruments at the event. “We’ve explored various types of percussion, highlighting their unique characteristics and roles across different genres. It’s rewarding to see people return to the festival, growing from children into young adults.”
Li’s journey began at age 5 in Nanjing, East China, where he started playing the xylophone. By 12, his talent led his teachers and parents to send him to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In 1988, Li became one of the first Chinese percussion students to study abroad, receiving a government scholarship to study in Moscow.
In Europe, Li immersed himself in Western classical percussion and modern music. He joined the faculty of the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin in 2003 and returned to Beijing in 2005 to establish a percussion department at the Central Conservatory of Music and form the Li Biao Percussion Band.
On October 4, the Li Biao Percussion Band will perform at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, a new NCPA venue. The concert will feature young Chinese percussionists led by Bai Weiqi, one of Li’s students and now a teacher at the Central Conservatory of Music.
Li explained that the band initially aimed to keep students engaged during summer vacations but evolved into a platform for nationwide and international performances. “Percussion instruments are perfect for group play, fostering teamwork and collaboration. The energy and excitement of percussion motivate young learners to stay interested in music.”
Bai described the concert as a showcase of contemporary music, featuring solo, ensemble, and experimental performances. “We’ll offer opportunities for audience participation, including drumming workshops and interactive performances,” Bai said. “We want to keep the experience dynamic and engaging.”
On August 29, Bai introduced the simplest form of percussion by inviting the audience to clap along with the beats, making the music-making experience interactive.
On September 24 and 25, Liu Heng, principal percussionist of the China NCPA Orchestra, will present concerts featuring his compositions. Liu’s pieces, including “Vermilion Bird” for solo marimba and “Face to Face” for two performers, will be showcased. Liu’s wife, percussionist Ni Ranran, will join him for a performance.
The festival’s closing concert on October 7 will feature Danish percussionist Gert Mortensen performing “I Ching (The Book of Changes),” a four-movement solo percussion piece by Danish composer Per Norgard, inspired by the classic Chinese book of divination.
Additional highlights include performances by classical guitarist Yang Xuefei, percussionist Zheng Yu, and the China National Peking Opera Company. The Peking Opera excerpts will feature rhythmic percussion instruments such as the bangu (a small drum) and daluo (a large gong), highlighting the integral role of percussion in this traditional art form.
