CRI听力: Sounds of Old Shanghai

With its countless skyscrapers and staggering statistics on development, it's no wonder why so many people would overlook Shanghai's rich and vibrant history. Today, our reporter Xu Weiyi will take you back to Shanghai's past through its music.




Although Shanghai is well known as an economic hub, here in the middle of Fang Bang Road, you can easily find traditional Shanghai items including silk scarves and Chinese Qipaos. As visitors wander into street and the shops, they are met with music from Shanghai's golden days of the 1930s.

This song was sung by Zhou Xuan, who was both of a well-known actress and singer in 1930s Shanghai. She made numerous of well-received movies in her days, such as < Angels on the Road>, and many of theme songs of these movie are still remembered fondly by man. < The Wandering Songstress> is a classic tune.

Fang Fang is the manager of this music shop. She says Zhou Xuan has been referred to as the golden voice and the symbol of old Shanghai.

"There were lots of singers in 1930's Shanghai, but no one can compete with her. There is only one Zhou Xuan. Only she is referred to as the golden voice. She is the unique. Many people come to this shop just to look for her music. Zhou Xuan's music has made a lasting impression on people."

The shop serves as a window for foreigners and Chinese alike to discover Shanghai and China through its music. Fang says the music store has been opened for nearly ten years. At first, Fang opened this shop to keep the memory of old Shanghai alive. She says she never expected that there would be more foreign visitors than Chinese coming to the store for these music.

"Actually, foreigners seem to be more interested in this type of old music. I met some that came in directly for the traditional Chinese music. They don't care about what is going on in China. And Zhou Xuan's voice is also very unique to them."

Georg Brunner and Dr. Edwina Muller are traveling in Shanghai from Germany. Attracted by the melodies, Dr. Muller says she is really into the local music.

"We would be interested to get the impression of what kind of music that Chinese people are like to hear. In Germany we like pop music we want to know how about it in China. And I like folk music."

Georg says he is attracted by Zhou's voice and decided to have a record of her music as a memory of China.

"Because it is part of the folk, part of the people here, and as I plan to make a video about out trip, so I would like to pick some local music to get the local touch, and to feel what the sound of foreign country are like. I have made an Italian video with the Italian local music to give the impression about what the surrounding is like in term s of music. Through the music we can also learn about China."

Music is beyond borders. For the Chinese, especially for old Shanghai residents, Zhou Xuan's voice and her era have left them golden memories of old Shanghai. But for many foreign visitors, music is not just for learning about China, but also enjoying China's rich cultural background.

For CRI, I'm Xuweiyi.