The History of the Gu Zheng 古筝历史记
The Gu Zheng is a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument. It belongs to the family of table zithers, with the earliest traces dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
According to Chinese philosophy, playing the Gu Zheng enhances one’s breath and bodily energy. It is believed that the music of the Gu Zheng comes from the heavens.
Ms. Sissy ZHOU is a professional Chinese musician and professor of Gu Zheng who has performed in several French, American and Chinese concerts. Gu Zheng is a traditional Chinese instrument that was very popular 3700 years ago, starting from 475 BC.
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Ms. Sissy ZHOU
Cithare Ancienne Chinoise et Chant
"Audiences at Sissy's concerts agree that her music provides a sense of journey, fulfillment, and serenity."
Even today, a temple dedicated to this zither (dating back to the Song Dynasty, 960-1127 CE) exists in Wuhan, in memory of the great master of the instrument, YU Boya (born during the Chu Kingdom, in the Chunqiu period, 771-481/453 BCE).
The Gu Zheng, an ancient large zither, is a Chinese instrument that was very popular from the 3rd century BCE. At that time, it was played primarily by the higher social classes.
Being able to play the zither, play chess, practice calligraphy, and paint were considered the four essential skills of traditional Chinese scholars.
However, cultivated ancient Chinese did not play the zither merely for amusement. The primary goal of a gentleman playing the zither was to train the soul and achieve the objective of cultivating both body and mind.
Similarly, in the minds of the ancients, the zither could not be played casually. The ancient Chinese paid careful attention to this aspect, much like they did during rituals.
Native of Wuhan, one of the cradles of traditional Chinese music (under the ancient Chu kingdom), Sissy Zhou began learning the Gu Zheng, an ancient zither dating back over 3,000 years, at the age of six.
Very popular in China, the Gu Zheng has been modernized and is now predominantly played by women. According to legend, this instrument was created by the deity Fuxi from the heart of a sacred tree where the phoenix rests, and from the stars in the sky that ensure its harmony.
Sissy worked extremely hard, balancing her studies with hours of daily music practice. She traveled to the conservatory, which was far from her home, in all weather conditions, enduring the extreme heat of summers (Wuhan is one of the hottest cities in China during the summer) or the blizzards of winters, and returned home with her parents on the night bus. She worked tirelessly, to the point where her fingers often bled.
Thanks to her determination, at the age of 17, she won top prizes in national and regional Chinese competitions. During this time, she performed in various venues and events in China (universities, festivals, television shows, prisons) and also began teaching Gu Zheng.
Her Guzheng students are based in China, the United States, France, and Belgium; some have won gold medals in national competitions and have gained admission to conservatories and universities to further their training.
Her research on Provençal music led her to meet Miquèu Montanaro, a musician (flute, galoubet, tambourin) and composer. Together, they formed a duo, "Lavande et Jasmin," exploring both ancient Provençal and Chinese repertoires, while also integrating contemporary compositions.
Supported by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, the artist embarked on numerous musical ventures. In 2014, she presented a musical show titled "Love in Provence" at the Cité de la Musique in Marseille, based on the novel she wrote in 2007. Combining fado, classical pieces, jazz, and their own compositions, the show achieved great success.
The artist also performed in Florida, blending jazz with Chinese music. In 2019, she contributed to the composition of Arnaud Roy's music and performed his pieces in the international video game "Humankind" by SEGA, released in 2021. This unique and innovative experience highlights how the artist's music is universal and capable of transcending cultural boundaries and media platforms.