Artistic Director Law Wing-fai (left) and Music Director Wong Chi-ching Click / Swipe to begin
Monday (Wong Chi-ching) I am on a five-day speech-fasting meditation retreat in Jiufeng Temple in Jiujiang, China. For the last few days, I have been following a rigid regime of meditation, waking up at 4:30am and retiring at 9pm, practising zen in alternating sessions of strolling and sitting, in addition to helping out with kitchen chores in the temple. The solitary soul-searching sessions were only punctuated by three simple meals as well as attending classes by the temple master.
Tuesday (Law Wing-fai) As a composer, I believe that one’s culture provides the basic backbone for creative development. For me, the rich Chinese culture is a fathomless treasure trove from which I can draw my inspiration. Today, I spent my time at home reading and browsing through contemporary Chinese poetry, scouting for appropriate text for my new compositions. I also worked on scores for the upcoming atmospheric music theatre production ‘Sands and Beyond’, scheduled to be premiered in Hong Kong this July.
Wednesday (Wong Chi-ching) Today is my last day in Jiufeng Temple. I joined fellow participants from the retreat to go on a full-day hike in the mountain. The teacher said immersing oneself in nature is also a way of zen living. Spring was in the air and we passed a temple along the way where I got to perform the ritual of bathing the Buddha. Although we came out from our fasting of speech already, we still kept conversation to a minimum, each of us absorbing in and reflecting upon the scenery around us.
Thursday (Law Wing-fai) At the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, I taught numerous students and count myself blessed to have students from various graduating classes visit me on a regular basis. Today two composition students from my early years came to visit me at home, while another group of students invited me out for dinner with their families. It is always a pleasure to chat with them and witness their various achievements, seeing that they have matured into fine composers excelling in the music field.
Friday (Wong Chi-ching) I arrived back home in Hong Kong yesterday. I spent the morning unpacking, doing house chores and running errands, and in the afternoon performed my daily two-hour ritual: practicing on the pipa. I finished the day with a full-evening session coaching musicians in ‘The Frog Diary’ by Law Sir (Law Wing-fai), which will be included in the European premiere of ‘Beyond the Senses’ on 15 July in London.
Saturday (Law Wing-fai) I joined my audio engineer and video designer on a site visit to the venue hosting our next production. It was interesting to hear how the designers felt about the venue. I always feel that music should work in harmony with the environment, so that that the atmosphere created is appreciated to its fullest. After lunch, we met with the rest of my creative team and brainstormed ideas for our next production.
Sunday (Wong Chi-ching) Sunday is the day of rest. As with a lot of Hong Kong people, I got together with Law Sir and had dim sum lunch with him and another friend who is a tea-shop owner and tea connoisseur. The lunch extended to tea in the late afternoon. I was very full when I got home, so no dinner tonight. I practiced the pipa for another two hours before I went to bed.