Traditional Chinese music had been out of focus for quite a long time until "Miracle," a traditional music album from the 12-Girl Orchestra, was released at the end of last year. So far, more than 1.7 million copies have been sold in Japan. In January 2004, the group sold out four concerts in Hong Kong, as thousands came from foreign countries. Seats for a March concert in Beijing were booked long ahead of the performance date.
They've got youth, tradition, and a flare for pop music going for them. The average age of the members of the 12-Girl Orchestra is 24, and they fuse their sound with Western pop music elements, from jazz to rock.
So far, they've been a smashing success. But not everyone is happy to see that.
Members of the 12-Girl Orchestra (which actually includes a 13th alternate musician) are handpicked graduates from the best Chinese music academies, such as the Central Conservatory of Music and the China Academy of Music. In addition to its beautiful, talented musicians, the 12-Girl Orchestra is also distinguished for its brilliant fusion of musical instruments unique to China, including the zheng, erhu, sanxian, xiao, xun, and yangqin. The group also employs little-known instruments of ethnic minorities.
Founded in June 2001, the 12-Girl Orchestra was one of China's first musical ensembles to sign a contract with an overseas company. It has also been one of the most successful. The band's secrets? Skill and innovation and flair. Peking Opera, folk music, and other traditional art forms that are generally considered solemn and unapproachable have been revamped and amped up by the 12 musicians, with their sexy outfits and passionate performances.
The 12-Girl Orchestra also invites cutting-edge music composers and producers to make adaptations of traditional music. Blended with the elements of Western pop music, such as percussion, electronic synthesis, and electro-acoustic tones, the adapted pieces feature distinct rhythms that appeal to the young. By playing the pure Chinese instruments in Latin, jazz, or rock styles, the band has shocked a kind of appreciation for traditional music back into the mainstream.
hat, of course, has caused some problems.
The band's innovation of traditional music has become a controversial topic in China. Supporters of the 12-Girl Orchestra believe that the most pressing problem of national music is the struggle to woo the marketplace. Failure to do so could mean a shrinking audience, and the art form dwindling into obscurity or disappearing all together.
The band has found a new approach for the development of national music, supporters say, which could mean its revival.
Opponents argue, however, that the pieces dishonor tradition. They should not change the faces of folk songs and national music.
Wang Xiaojing, founder and manager of the band, told China Pictorial recently that in order to survive in such a diversified society, one that is permeated with a commercial point of view, national music has no choice but to go through cultural consumption. That's what the 12-Girl Orchestra has done.
"Along with the social development, multiple cultural demands result in multiple art structures," said Wang. "It's amazing that the 12-Girl Orchestra has won appeal, regardless of the reason."