CRI听力:Music Plays Important Role in Boosting China-Poland Relationship

The works of Frederic Chopin, hailed as "the poet of the piano," has become representative of Poland's music and cultural products.

Those works have greatly impressed a huge number of audiences around the world, especially Chinese people.
Famous Chinese pianist Li Yundi speaks highly of Chopin's music.

"Chopin's works are elegant and graceful, and their effects differ from every work produced in different stages. I think his nocturnes are easy on the ear, and have enjoyed great popularity among the public."

In 2000, 18-year-old Li Yundi took part in the 14th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in the Polish capital Warsaw, and won First Prize.

Li's achievement has inspired and impressed a number of Chinese students who wants to learn about Polish music.

Gan Zhouzheng, a Chinese student who entered the Frederic Chopin University of Music last year, says he has gained a lot through his studies.

"The professors provide systematic training for us in accordance with our different circumstances respectively, rather than simply make adjustments in terms of a single repertoire. The methods they teach us could be very useful in our future study and performances. The academy also organized a number of activities providing chances for us to experience Poland's local culture and customs."

However, apart from traditional Polish music, more and more Chinese audiences have also expressed their interest in modern music, such as rock and roll.

Jin Wenyu, a Chinese college student, says she was impressed by a performance from a Polish post-rock band called TIDES FROM NEBULA during this year's Shanghai Strawberry Music Festival.

"Their performances have great power of expression and make people feel shocking. Though there's a little bit rebellious mood inside the music, it mostly features good and happy feelings. Their works are also quite visually attractive."

The band's guitar player, Maciej Karbowski, says the emotion reflected by their music is the most important part.

"The music we play is instrumental and could be regarded as a kind of 'universal language.' We stress the feeling and emotion conveyed through the music mostly, and we hope that our audiences could listen to and understand our works in their own ways."

In fact, it's a common belief among musicians and artists from both sides that music could boost mutual understanding while surmounting obstacles existing in communication through different languages.