(Clearwisdom.net) Veteran TV and film arranger-composer Mr. Chiang Yi-fan and his wife attended the final performance of the Chinese Spectacular presented by Divine Performing Arts in Taipei, Taiwan on March 18, 2008. Mr. Chiang won the Best Arranger award in the 20th Golden Tripod Awards and was a member of the Judges Panel for the 13th Golden Melody Awards. Mr. Chiang said in an interview after attending the Chinese Spectacular show that the performance was very classical in nature. It was the first time that he had seen such pure dances that truly and perfectly expressed Chinese character, and he was deeply moved.
Chiang Yi-fan and his wife posed for a photo taken outside the performance hall after the final performance of Divine Performing Arts in Taipei, Taiwan on March 18, 2008
That same night, Mr. Chiang wrote his feelings on his blog -- "Impressions on the New York-based Divine Performing Arts Company":
Recommended by my students, I attended an amazing performance--presented by the New York company, Divine Performing Arts. I was not familiar with this company before attending the performance. From its promotion information, it seemed that it would be an extremely traditional Chinese folk dance performance. I did not have any particular expectations from such a show. I attended it only because of my students' warm invitation. [However], after watching the whole performance, I was overwhelmed by [the superb performance]!
Most of the performances in the first half of the show were pure classical Chinese dances. When I served in the army, I worked for the Art Team, and I watched many Chinese folk dances. I also produced music arrangements for such dances, but what I saw at that time could not grab my interest at all, and did not leave any impression on me.
Chinese folk dance, for me, was an outdated and traditional performance, and at that time, I went even so far as to think that it was an art form that should be sifted out. But after watching the performances by Divine Performing Arts, a big question mark was in my mind: Is this truly classical Chinese dance? (After going through studying and researching, it seems Divine Performing Arts maintains the classical traditional essence of Chinese dance, and it is a very pure classical art). Why doesn't it leave me an impression of being ancient and old? Moreover, every action and every move [of the performers] directly touched me. Honestly speaking, it is the first time that I have been truly touched, although I have watched so many dance performances domestically and abroad.
Why could I, a modern man, completely take in such a pure classical art without any hindrance? During the whole performance, I was almost completely engrossed in it. I can really say that I enjoyed and was moved during the whole performance. From the performance by Divine Performing Arts, I felt a moving sense that I had not experienced before. Such a moving sense can almost be described as floating clouds and flowing water, which is superior to nature. Every body gesture was led by an invisible "qi," without affectation even for a moment. What the body gestures painted was a perfect "roundness." This roundness is like a Taichi, in which there is heaven and earth and human beings. It also presented an optimum dynamic balance. It was the first time for me to experience such a type of dance that is full of philosophical thought.
I was unable to give in-depth commentary on the difference between Chinese classical philosophical thought and that of the west before, but I have unexpectedly gained a deeper understanding of Chinese culture from this performance. It turns out the beauty of the classical culture is able to sustain throughout the ages. In addition, what I want to mention is that during the whole performance, what impressed the audience, besides [the performers'] mastery of the essence of culture and their skills, the performers' dedication, in my view, is also a crucial element. After attending the show, I discussed this point with my students. We felt that performers of Divine Performing Arts devote themselves to the performance with their most "truthful" hearts, so naturally that they can be close to the realm of "compassion" and "beauty."
