Experience the Mystical Beauty of the Handpan This Saturday

Created at the dawn of the new millennium in Switzerland, the handpan (or hang) is one of the world's newest musical instruments. Despite its brief history, the instrument's mystical sound quickly helped it find a devout following around the world.

Israeli musician Liron Man was just one of its many new followers, drawn to the instrument's rich-layered timbre. He first got a hold of one in 2006 and has dedicated himself to the instrument ever since, forging his way to becoming one of the world’s top players.

Music has been the main conduit throughout Man’s life. Before picking up the handpan, he was already masterful at several instruments including the piano, electric guitar, mandolin, and buzuki, a background that helped him develop his own style and techniques on the handpan. Man also credits his upbringing in Israel as having exposed him to numerous cultures and ethnicities, a background that hugely contributed to his open-mindedness and need for expression.

That need has seen Man tour more than 30 countries over the past decade. During that time he has also cooperated with internationally renowned musicians like Israeli violist Sanya Kroitor, tabor player Zohar Fresco, Spanish flamenco guitar and flute player Jorge Pardo, and Indian sitar master Govind Goswami.

Man's process involves merging the different instruments, techniques and personal approaches of each of his collaborators with that of his own, learning and adapting all the while.

For his latest performance, and part of his ongoing World Music Series, Man will cooperate with guzheng player Lucy Luan at CHAO Art Center this Saturday, Jul 27. Man says that the idea of collaboration with Luan arose when he first heard Luan perform live: "I think what I love most about [the guzheng] is its sharp, clear sound and the bending of the notes – it takes you to travel inside an infinity of frequencies."

“There are many benefits to playing with other people such as reaching more audiences and with the music, touching more souls. But on a personal level, I love so many instruments, the sounds wash me with energy and fill me up. Also, as a musician, playing or performing you are not able to listen as an audience member, but when there’s another musician with you it’s as if you are also part of the audience and at the same time you get the joy of playing music,” says Man.

Believing that each musician brings their true heart to their music, Man chooses his colleagues via the guidance of fate and faith: “I like authentic, acoustic, and ethnic sounds, and I am open to playing any style of music if it contains these three ingredients.”

You can catch Liron Man and Lucy Luan at 7.30pm on Saturday, Jul 27 at CHAO Art Center. Tickets cost RMB 138.

Looking for something a little more riotous?
DDC and Temple celebrate their respective anniversaries this week.

More stories by this author here.
Email: kuang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos courtesy of Liron Man