April 26th

Professor Helen Rees emphasizes her idea that "Ancient Naxi Music" isn't as "ancient" or "authentic" as it is presented to tourist audiences. Contrastingly, she thinks that the music played by other groups (which use Westernized instruments) are much more "authentic" than the Naxis, who by the way derived their musical styles from the Han Chinese. She believes that many of the individuals witnessing the performance are so intrigued by this type of music mainly "because of the constant comparisons they make with other such performances they have attended in China" (149). She believes that many tourists seek to hear new melodies and rhythms not exposed to them in their home countries. Tourists expect "traditional" and "authentic" music of China to steer away from the sounds of Westernized music. According to Rees, to tourists, "Western harmony presented as local folk culture are an immediate turn-off" (149). These outsiders enter a performance arena expecting the foreign music to not sound anything like the Western style they are accustomed to.

Professor Rees makes it clear to the reader that she believes many tourists and even knowledgeable Western scholars view the modern Chinese orchestra as not nearly "authentic" enough. Many Westernized individuals expect foreign music, especially Chinese, to exclude that Westernized "ring" to it. However, this orchestra utilizes instruments like a Western 'cello and bass. When necessary, the Chinese orchestra will perform using a keyboard as well. Although the sounds resemble old, authentic music, the tourist audience does not enjoy or appreciate it. They hear that borrowed Western romantic sound and become uninterested instantly. To them, the music is modernized and shows no resemblance to the ancient music of China.

I would have to say that I agree with Professor Rees based on the fact that authentic music may be modernized and still be as interesting as the original piece. I believe many tourists, according to this article, are very short sided and expect music to remain the same throughout history. One should not enter a foreign country's musical performance expecting a certain sound to the music. Because the tourist is ignorant to the type of music practiced, the tourist should enter the performance arena with a blank mind set and try to enjoy the music based on how it sounds.