Spring is my favorite season, because it is the beginning of nature’s cycle. It is full of hope and renewal. Last Spring, Covid came to us, it disrupted our life and caused much pain, death and suffering. I remember being scared and stressed. Spring was not as alive as usual. This spring, I feel very hopeful and optimistic about the outlook of this pandemic. Thanks to our healthcare workers, scientists and the distributors of the vaccine, new cases have decreased significantly lately. Emotionally I am feeling much better, and that helps with my energy and creativity. I hope this spring will bring all of you a renewal energy and creativity, no matter what you create. 🌷🌷🌷☘️☘️☘️

《春夜喜雨》古箏與女聲 Guzheng and Voice “Joyful Spring Rain” by Bei Bei and Celine Xixi Chen

Enjoy this performance video of my sister Celine Xixi Chen and I performing together at the Psalm Salon (now Jamey’s House of Music) in Philadelphia in May 2012. The lyrics were taken from the famous Chinese poet Du Fu’s poem “Joyful Spring Rain” (春夜喜雨) from the Tang dynasty. The melody was taken from Japanese composer Meiji Shinkyoku’s composition “Spring Sea”, originally written for the Koto and Shakuhachi. I found this composition so beautiful and was very inspired by it. My sister came for a visit in 2010, we experimented with arranging Du Pu’s poetry to the melody of the composition, and it worked out so perfectly! Celine sang the melody while I played the accompaniment. The new song became a fusion of Japan and China, the ancient and the contemporary, the Guzheng and the voice. Celine sings so heavenly and I really miss performing with her. Currently, we are collaborating on a new original song called “Ink” （墨）written by me (music) and Zheng Tong (lyrics). Hopefully, we can perform “Ink” together live when things get back to normal and when we can finally see each other.