Heirlooms – Reimagining the Sounds of our Chinese Forefathers

In a bid to uncover, revitalise and preserve these fading musical memories that make up the rich Chinese music heritage of Singapore, The TENG Ensemble embarked on The Forefathers Project in 2016. After four years of intensive research and fieldwork with first-generation masters, luthiers, instrument dealers and protégés, the Ensemble produced Heirlooms, a documentary-concert presented in the English language. The works were created in collaboration with US-based Malaysian-born composer Chow JunYi, and featured a repertoire inspired by local Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew and Hakka music traditions.

Heirlooms is the world and Asia premiere of The Forefathers Project and took place at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore on 11 October 2019. It was presented by The TENG Ensemble in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and was organised in support of the Singapore Bicentennial.

If you would like to name any of the exquisite instruments used in the project or are interested in touring the show, please contact teresa@thetengcompany.com.