Creation at Ha - now on tour
In March 2024, Ha brought together four musicians for a unique creation. At our request, Chinese-American guzheng player Wu Fei went on a musical exploration with three top Belgian talents: Dijf Sanders, Simon Segers, and Louise van den Heuvel.
The result was the poetic production "Tides and Time", in which the eternal tides provided the fodder for an elongated soundscape between East and West. After the (s)lowed premieres, the story continues - the band moves up the runway. Their concert on FRI 2 MAY '25 marks the start of a European tour, which we will map out with them.
First things first: who is Wu Fei?
Wu Fei lived in China until she was 18, where she received a solid classical education. Once in New York, she immersed herself in the downtown scene, playing with Fred Frith and John Zorn, among others.
The combination of virtuoso classical playing and brilliant improvisation, together with her knowledge of traditional Chinese music, makes Wu Fei a unique musician. She first came to our attention in 2009 at the China Express Festival in Ghent, where she performed with pianist Heleen Van Haegenborgh. It was the occasion to contact her again for this project so many years later.
Wu Fei is a barrel of surprises - from her experiences in her homeland and her poetic, virtuosic depth to energetic outbursts and infectious laughter. Get to know her through the interview she did for us in '24 - just before the production was made.
#Story
Meet Wu Fei ✨ Interview
I recognised that I had a strong set of wings that I had never flown with before. That realisation was incredible - holy shit, I can fly!
Wu Fei
Rehearse, inspire, rehearse
After a lot of preliminary discussions and inspiring back and forth between the musicians, an intense four-day rehearsal process took place in the rooms of Ha Concerts. Take a look behind the scenes.
Wu Fei is an infectious woman - which went well with our '23-24 Artist in Residence Louise van den Heuvel, the ever-reliable and pleading Simon Segers, and Dijf Sanders with his arsenal of pedals and samples. The whole house was buzzing! The première that followed was amazing.
What's next?
So soon the company will be back to shine on our stage - for children during Tiny Tunes as for adults at the evening concert. A unique opportunity to see them at work.
Then we will send them on a tour of Europe - a Green Pilot Tour from the Netherlands to Sweden, Germany and back. You will be able to follow this story in future posts.
Tiny Tunes: House of Wu Fei
Float along on the Chinese sea
17:30 Tickets
House of Wu Fei: 'Tides and Time'
With Dijf Sanders, Simon Segers and Louise van den Heuvel
Along with the tides - A poem of soundscapes
20:15 TicketsAs a bonus
Wu Fei's personal translation of Shu Shi's poem Water Melody from 1076. These words formed the basis of her creative thinking about time and time.
Follow her calligraphy from top to bottom and from right to left. The four larger characters on the right are the title.
"When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the clear sky. In the heavens on this night, I wonder what season it would be?
I'd like to ride the wind to fly home. Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too hight and cold for me. Dancing with my moonlit shadow, it does not seem like the human world.
The moon rounds the red mansion. Stoops to silk-pad doors, shine upon the sleepless. Bearing no grudge. Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?
People experience sorrow, joy, separation and reunion. The moon maybe dim or bright, round or crescent shaped. This imperfection has been going on since the beginning of time. May we all be blessed by longevity.
Though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together."
Will we see you soon?
There is so much to experience - both behind the scenes as on the big stage.
