As we have some Chinese on board I thought I'll ask you something I never fully understood.

Especially Japanese, Chinese and South Koreans but probably also others seem to have a very large interest in European classical music. Not only do those tons of tourists of East Asisan origin in Vienna suggest that, but also stories I heard from a friend of mine who was once member of the Vienna's Boy Choir. I dont know how many in China or Japan really know them, but the places they have been (I know stories from Japan), they were cared for like some music stars, with girly fans etc

Then there is the internationally known New Years Concert in Vienna, where just a few years ago (maybe 2 or 3) a Japanese conducted.

Another example might be the music university in my city. People from all over the world study there, but a significant number is from east Asia, even from North Korea we have some. And that country is not really known for its large student exchange programs

The list might be enlargeable, but I think I have pointed out enough what I mean. What is about classical music that its liked so much among Chinese etc? What is it that many people from this part of earth know the country Austria just because of its contribution to it?


I really would love to hear the Chinese perspective on this. Thanks in advance.

most Chinese parents send their kids to class to train them in sunmer holiday and winter holiday.the kids practise piano,violin and other western musical instrument in the class.
in Chinese school,since elementary school too high middle school,there's a music lesson every week,students sing song and study music knowledge in school.after High middle school,they are being adult,if they interest in music,they will go to musical school to learn more knowledge.
this is not a close world.as foreigners,Chinese know much about this world,but except politics.Hehe,because Chinese don't interest in it.

for me,i like listen classic piano.
I prefer the french player Richard Glayderman.he is very great

Very interesting.

But what is it that fascinates you so much about European classical music and its instruments?

And what is your own estimation, how much is my home country Austria known in China? I would not have though much at all, but than another Chinese on USPO told me otherwise.

Whats your thought on this?

it's difficult to explain,Chinese culture is different from Europe culture.most Chinese are perceptual are conservative,since ancient China,Chinese like penmanship，painting,music, literature，till now,most Chinese still like this.but ancietnt Chinese ignored math and physical science and others...in China,when student left high middle school,they can secelt go to the science university or Arts univerysity
I don't like physical science too.
China is being powerful,I think most foreigners can know much about China from TV,newspaper,radio,internet.but usually,that's not real China.as Clinton's friend said in 1992 General election: I am even don't know he is Bil in media.
so l think to know real China.the best way is visit China to feel this country.
Chinese face much trouble today.

Really?
But thats in strong contrast to your leadership, isn't it? You are governed by lots of studied engineers etc. And your economy bases to an immense part on production and an rapidly increasing knowledge of natural sciences.

But back to music. What is your own traditional Chinese music like? I mean you have to have one for sure, don't you? And how popular is it today?

Does our European classical music fit so well into the Chinese mentality and philosophy?

You misunderstood me. I dare to say everone knows China in the West But my question was something different. I asked if Chinese know the country of Austria.

Austria is not really powerful, nor large, and it is just one member out of many in the European family. But its capital Vienna has successfully defended its title as musical capital of Europe. And when I say music, I am talking about classical and baroque music, and also operas and theater. Its what Austria is known for today in the world.

How much is it known at all in China?

[quote=Slartibartfas;6774]Really?
But thats in strong contrast to your leadership, isn't it? You are governed by lots of studied engineers etc. And your economy bases to an immense part on production and an rapidly increasing knowledge of natural sciences.[quote]
when British use gun invaded China,Chinese used cold arms against them,of course you know the result: Chinese lost Hong Kong.so in Dynasty Qing,some Chinese called Chinese learn more western science to against,this is an important policy in late Qing dynasty,but at last they failed. KMT overthrew Qing Dynasty,Chinese started build most schools and sent many students to foreign country to learn western science.1949,CCP controled China,CCP have the same policy with KMT in education(I meant let student lear western science knowledge) .
but Chinese love music,this is Chinese nature.it's a part of Chinese culture,some Chinese classic music lasts many hundred year,till today,it's still popular in China
Chinese has its classical music,but i don't think Europe people like it,because the culture is different.our classic music is rhythm slow.here is one:

http://ftp.guqu.net/ehu/huqin/mlff/01.lzh.MP3
relation link: ¡¶ÁºÉ½²®ÓëףӢ̨¡·ÍêÕû°æ - ÆäËûÃñ×åÒôÀÖ¡¢ÀÖÆ÷ÉÍÎöÓë×ÊѶ - ÇÙóݹúÀÖÍø_¹ÅóÝÂÛ̳ óÝ_¹ÅóÝ_¹ÅÇÙ_ÒôÀÖ_¹úÀÖ_ÃñÀÖ_Ãñ×åÒôÀÖ_ÂÛ̳
another oneSouth China,Canton)
http://www.ytcha.com/yu/01.彩云追月.mp3
that two are classical Chinese music.it's very popular,most Chinese like it.

maybe the speed is slow,you'd better download it by flashget,don't listen it on line.

Hehe,Chinese know Austria,but most of them don't familiar with your country's detail.
In China school,in the book, Vienna,Austria is the "Capital of music of this world",most Chinese wish to visit Vienna,Chinese Arts student wish he can have his music concer in Vienna,this is their ideality

I am sure you will go the way already other asian people have gone before you, like Japan. You will make this western concept of engeneering and science your own and over the long improve it with asian concepts that are compatible with it.
Currently you still are copying others, in a few decades if you succeed in continuing your way, you won't have the need anymore to copy. You will be copied as the rest of the developed countries.
And thats perhaps the most critical point for you. Japan had it in the 90's, it seems they mastered it.

Thanks very much.
It really has an Asian feel. But tell me, are you using western instruments for playing traditional styled music?


Cool.
I guess also the city of Salzburg will be known too. Anyway, of course they will have a strongly idealized view on Vienna and Austria in general. Otherwise I really would get afraid. After all its a country on the other side of the world with not more than 8 mio inhabitants. I dont want to know how many Chinese cities alone have already more...

And after all its what we earn our money with, showing those Asians this idealized picture they want to see This fairy tale like music capital stuff. Perhaps pepped up with a little bit of monarchy atmosphere (K&K) from a monarchy that has already stopped to exist in 1918....
But dont get me wrong, there exists a real Vienna and Austria behind that facade for tourists too, and in fact music plays an important role there. But it would need more time to get to know this real Austria, more than most Asians have at there disposal as tourists.

The funny thing is only, that Austria seems to be far better known in China than in the US. Even though China is a much more different place. In the US you have pretty high chances that people would believe I am coming from down under, from the Australian continent, when saying that I am from Austria.

PS:
Do you know the new general secretary of the UN? He is a high diplomat from South Korea. As ambassador he had been to the major capitals of the world, but pretty much before he got the job at the UN recently he exchanged his working places in the high priority capitals with the capital of the small Austria, with Vienna. It is said, he did so because he simply wanted to work once in the "capital of music". And as it seems in the time he was here, he was a very active customer of our cultural institutions.
I somehow like this story.

yes.China will develop country like western country.but Chinese culture will not convert to western culture.
actually,except on subject politics,CCP has much good civil policy.and not everyone can join CCP,just excellent person can join CCP.
China need much time to reform politics,I believe our furture is bright.

Chinese character is different from English character,no Chinese would confuse Austra and Australia.every Chinese knows Austra is not Australia: Austra is locate in Middle Europe,Australia locate in the south of the Earth.

I know that S.Korean,but i don't familiar with him.I don't know his working experience too.thank you for your presentation