As in language there are untranslatable words which are uniquely capable of capturing the abstract, so in music there are sounds which are singularly placed to do the same. The Chinese instrument zheng and the four elements in our world— earth, wind, fire, water—is one such perfect marriage, as showcased by the masterful Wan Xing in Sound Strokes: A Harmonious Blend of Chinese and Scottish Music.
The show combines pieces from Chinese, Scottish and Irish musical traditions to create fresh arrangements that demonstrate the commonalities between them as they seek to capture the elements. It begins with earth, played against the backdrop of a soil painting by the artist Qiu Yangzi and the calm thrum of Gregor Black’s brushstrokes on percussion, emulating the sound of one sifting through sand. Then comes wind, or chi, a zheng solo by Wan Xing which is at once forceful and controlled. This is followed with a piece titled Firehorse, a combination of two polkas and an old Chinese song, which is as frantic as the title suggests. The show closes with a three-part arrangement centered around water. In introducing this segment, harpist Eleanor Dunsodon said that the aim was to create a piece where it was indiscernible where the zheng began and where the harp ended, as with flowing water. The three musicians meet this goal with commendable prowess, although the use of a sound recording of waves crashing on a beach slightly distracts from the live show.
Perhaps the best piece of the night is one unrelated to the elemental theme. It combines two working woman songs: a Gaelic tune roughly translated to ‘A Thousand Curses at Love’ and a Chinese tune of matching melancholy. It shows the combined meaning to be found in blending these traditions, beyond the beauty of their sound: that of shared human experience which powers the creation of all music. In creating this blend, Wan Xing, Gregor Black and Eleanor Dunsodon invite the audience to share in this humanity. Whether by attending their shows or downloading their album, Sound Strokes is well worth a listen.
Reviewer: Saloni Sanwalka
Reviewed: 5th September 2026
North West End UK Rating: