Source: CCTV.com

12-18-2007 09:17

The protection of intangible legacy, moves higher on the priority list of local governments around China. In the north, in Hebei province, the government is stepping up its efforts to preserve local folk music.

Traditional music swells at the Qunyi Recording Studio in Langfang, these days. Eleven " Folk Music Groups" from villages and towns around Langfang are assembled to record their music.

Folk Music Groups derive from the temple music troupes of ancient China. Hebei has about 100 of these groups; that's among the highest number of any of China's provinces. But still, the art is eroding. Some folk pieces already have vanished from the landscape and even the groups find their positions tenuous.

Artists of the Qujiaying music group are among those voicing concern.

Hu Guoqing, artist of Qujiaying Music Group, said, "In our group, only two artists are able to play all the numbers. One is 82. The other 85. The greatest difficulty now is finding students who can learn from them. Otherwise, several pieces will be lost for good, when the older performers are gone."