| The guqin, or seven-stringed zither, is China's | | | | army of thousands. The story of Kong Cheng Ji |
| oldest stringed instrument, and as legend has it, its | | | | can be found in the famous 15th century novel |
| sweet sounds once helped defeat an army. Now | | | | Romance of the Three Kingdoms. |
| this ancient instrument experiences a modern-day | | | | During the "Three Kingdoms" period (220-280 |
| renaissance. This holiday season, NTDTV's Holiday | | | | AD), the Kingdom of Shu underwent a series of |
| Wonders (live at the Beacon Theater on | | | | defeats by the Kingdom of Wei. On one occasion |
| Broadway, NYC, Dec. 19-24, 2006) brings a unique | | | | the Wei general, Sima Yi, advanced with his |
| opportunity to experience the magic of traditional | | | | armies to the gate of a Shu city, unaware that |
| Chinese culture, using traditional and ancient | | | | there were no Shu soldiers within the city to |
| instruments. The magnificence of the backdrops, | | | | protect it. |
| the abundant imagination, the marvelous music, | | | | On seeing the Wei army advance, rather than |
| the splendor of the costumes, and the actors' | | | | capitulating, the Shu military advisor Zhuge Liang |
| great skill--altogether make for outstanding | | | | went to the gate tower and played a beautiful |
| entertainment reflecting China's 5,000 years of | | | | melody on his guqin. |
| civilization and traditional culture--a culture full of | | | | As he listened, Sima Yi, the general of the |
| myths and legends. | | | | invading army, found himself in a quandary. He |
| The first guqins were made about 3,000 years | | | | tried to tell from the nuance of the music |
| ago. They were very simple, with just one or | | | | whether the city was truly empty, or if Shu |
| two strings. As aesthetic concepts flowered and | | | | soldiers hid within it. Judging by the tranquil tones, |
| playing skills improved, the instrument changed. By | | | | he decided this was a trick of Zhuge Liang's to |
| the 3rd century the guqin had seven strings, and | | | | tempt his army into an ambush, and so he |
| was very similar to the instrument played today. | | | | ordered a retreat. |
| Historically, the guqin has been viewed as a | | | | The ruse helped the Kingdom of Shu to avoid |
| symbol of high culture, as well as the instrument | | | | another defeat and ultimate destruction. |
| most able to express the essence of Chinese | | | | You may wonder what melody Zhuge Liang |
| music. There is consequently a great deal of | | | | played. Nobody knows. This will probably forever |
| symbolism surrounding the guqin. | | | | remain a secret shrouded in the mists of history. |
| In ancient China, the guqin was an instrument | | | | In addition to Holiday Wonders, NTDTV also brings |
| played mainly by those of noble birth. Among the | | | | to live the divine beauty of the ancient East with |
| 3,000 or so guqin tunes that have been handed | | | | its now-legendary Chinese New Year Spectacular . |
| down, the majority are works by the then ruling | | | | This year the "Spectacular" is grander than ever, |
| class, expressing their aspirations. | | | | touring 26 mayor cities worldwide with more than |
| In Chinese history, there is a famous story called | | | | 1,000 performers between January and March |
| the "Empty City Trick" (Kong Cheng Ji) in which | | | | 2007. The NYC flagship show returns to Radio |
| the guqin played the key role in defeating an | | | | City Music Hall for seven performances. |