Three Musicians

Virtual coffee with a musician   2026-09-07

The greatest achievement ever, of humans, is the invention, or discovery? of tools – “language” is the proper name – to express themselves.

Over our 300,000 years, three languages evolved to successfully express humans. The language most used is words. The youngest language is mathematics, which rapidly helps humans to discover the unimaginably big universe that unimaginably exceeds humans but includes humans, mathematics which in the most modern furious development, leads to computers and Artificial Intelligence.

But music is the third language, unique because it is the language that expresses our soul. Things that touch our soul are the only thing that gives us warmth, and feelings – and perhaps, make us aware of love.

Watching audience go wild in a Rock and Roll concert, or audience pay respect in a Classical Music concert, it is the same, people are thankful that something is expressing their soul.

There are many music dialects, some appeal to people more generally. An analogy is the English language. But there are local language dialects. They share smaller audience, an analogy is ethnic food. People do find out the charm of local language dialects. Local dialects whether in local life, or in local arts, are what make humans rich and worthwhile.

In this article, instead of a Beatles or a Beethoven, I share the music of three musicians who perform Classical Chinese Music. Classical Chinese Music is generally quiet and generally aims for soothing of the human heart. The quiet charm waits for people to feel.

Note to music lovers: Video and music files in this connection are in a private network, safe from YouTube and Instagram restrictions. The videos and music might not connect forever, or might not play online. Music lovers are advised to download for permanent keeping.

Chen Yue ( 陈悦, born 1978 ) is a Chinese flute musician. She studied at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and is Professor at the China Conservatory of Music, Classical Chinese Music Department. She has performed in the United States, Japan, Australia, Russia, United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, Brazil, and other venues. She has collaborated with Danish flutist Michala Petri, French pianist Richard Clayderman. Her 2005 album “Chaotic Red” is shared here.

Zhu Lei ( 朱蕾, born 1980 ) is a Chinese Zither musician. She began learning the Chinese Zither at age 6, studied at the Central Music Conservatory in Beijing. She has performed in the United States, Germany, Korea, and other venues. Her 2006 album “Paris Sky” is shared here.

Du Taihang ( 杜泰航, born 1966 ) is a piano musician. He studied at the Central Music Conservatory in Beijing, Zurich University of the Arts, Trossingen State University of Music in Germany, Moscow Conservatory, and is Professor at the Central Music Conservatory Piano Department in Beijing. He was awarded the Géza Anda International Piano Competition Prize in 1997, and the United Nations World Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Foundation Artist for International Peace Prize in 2022. His 1994 album “West Lake Impression” is shared here.