On Friday 3 October 2025, the London Youlan Qin Society will collaborate with pianist Mengqing Nie, a doctoral researcher at the University of Bristol, in a lunchtime concert titled China in Black and White. The performance explores the dialogue between traditional Chinese folk melodies and Western piano, offering audiences a unique perspective on cultural memory, fusion, and innovation.
China in Black and White – Lunchtime Concert
The University of Bristol’s Victoria Rooms Auditorium will host a special lunchtime concert on Friday 3 October 2025, 1:15–2:00pm, featuring pianist Mengqing Nie in collaboration with musicians from the London Youlan Qin Society.
Titled China in Black and White, the programme investigates what sounds and ideas emerge when Chinese folk music meets the Western piano tradition. The concert will focus on rarely heard works from the Cultural Revolution period (1966–1976), a pivotal moment in the history of Chinese piano transcriptions, while also reimagining Chinese traditional melodies through innovative reinterpretations.
The collaboration with the London Youlan Qin Society brings the voice of Chinese plucked-string instruments into dialogue with the piano, creating musical landscapes that balance tradition and modernity, heritage and experimentation. Audiences can expect sweeping sonic textures, unexpected timbres, and a journey that transcends time and borders.
Practical Information
📅 Date & Time: Friday 3 October 2025 · 1:15–2:00pm
📍 Venue: Victoria Rooms Auditorium, University of Bristol
🎟 Admission: £5 Free for University of Bristol students & staff (with valid UCard)
Tickets available via the University Online Shop Payment by card only (no cash accepted)
⏱ Note: Doors close promptly at 1:15pm. Latecomers will not be admitted.
📧 Contact: music-resources@bristol.ac.uk
