Chen Qigang, music director for the Olympic opening ceremony, talks with Chen Jie about the great hornor - and unique challenges - of weaving together myriad musical styles for the highly anticipated four-hour-long performance.

A dancer performs in Raise the Red Lanterns, whose musical score is composed by Chen Qigang. [File photo]

CD: When did you know that you would be the music director of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games? How did you react to the commission?

Chen: I am a lonely person, used to doing everything alone. I never thought that a big and historic event, such as the Olympics, would have something to do with me.

When director Zhang Yimou called me in May 2007, it was totally unexpected and I did not say "yes" or "no" immediately. I think Zhang needs a music director who is Chinese but has an international background. We worked on the ballet Raise the Red Lanterns in 2001 together and he has some idea of my works.

Then we had a meeting to talk about what kind of music the opening ceremony needs, and found we shared many ideas and visions of the Games.

Chen Qigang, France-based Chinese composer. Jiang Dong [China Daily]

For example, we agree that not all the people are interested in the Olympic Games itself, but the event is an opportunity to show the world what Chinese people pursue.

CD: You are commissioned as the music director of the opening ceremony. How do you describe your job?

Chen: The opening ceremony will last longer than four hours, including a series of rituals, the athletes marching into the stadium, lighting the flame and the performance, so we need different music for different parts. It is hard for any single composer to do this complicated work. What I do is set a general style of all the music, gather suitable musicians, present to them what kind of music we want and finally make them work together.

CD: Who are the musicians on your team?

Chen: The musicians we commissioned include both Chinese and foreigners, both world-known and unknown. Because both director Zhang and I have realized that the average age of the creating group of the opening ceremony is relatively old, we need to include new blood and inspiration.

CD: You are a musician with a strong personality and usually when you create a piece of music, it is your own. But the opening ceremony is a group work. As music director, you must make compromises. How do you do that?

Chen: It is a process of making compromises. Actually I have no right to decide whose music, how many composers or how much money would be used. But I would stick to a piece of music if it is really good, or if somebody does suit the job. And I must say, so far, I have enjoyed a relaxed and free work environment.

CD: What challenges you the most?

Chen: I am a composer as well as a team manager. It is much more complicated than writing a piece of music by myself. At the ceremony, music serves the scenes. Generally speaking, if we have different ideas, I obey the director. But I am the one who is responsible for all the music (no matter whether I like it or not), so I try my best to realize my idea, though sometimes it's mission impossible.

CD: Your music is always considered highbrow, and it is said the best way to enjoy your music is sitting in a quiet room, alone. But the opening ceremony is for all the people. What kind of music can we expect?

Chen: My music used to have nothing to do with pop, and since I am the music director, this characteristic would be more or less reflected in the music of the opening ceremony. But I try to balance the music that I like and the style of an arena performance. What's more, we have many other talented musicians and each of them has their unique characteristics and I will combine their music together.

CD: What Chinese elements do you use in the music?

Chen: I cannot reveal many details about the music, but for sure, it features obvious Chinese elements.

In today's global village, different countries have more and more in common.

For example, you can find McDonald's in every city, and one fashion could take the world very soon. I personally don't like it.

Every country should have its own characteristics. The Beijing Olympic Games makes China the focus of the world. We'd take the opportunity to show the world Chinese culture, history, social values and many other characteristics.

I don't think the world knows China as we suppose. Chinese have the unique value of beauty. Chinese music does not pursue grandeur and magnificence, but prefers to express the delicate and sensitive personal feelings.

The Kunqu Opera, Peking Opera, guqin and the Silk and Bamboo instruments all embody such characteristics. I hope to seize the opportunity to display such unique Chinese culture.

But it does not mean we would put on Peking Opera plays, or bring out any particular Chinese traditional instrument.

It could not be that obvious, but an impressive combination of Chinese classic, contemporary, highbrow and pop elements.

CD: What's your impression of the opening ceremony, as a member of the creating group?

Chen: My personal feeling about the opening ceremony is it shows an open-minded, modest and developing China.

CD: Will the music win over the people's hearts?

Chen: I never cater to the listeners. I do not guess what people like or dislike. That's not the reason I make music.

What I do is showcase a unique China. The music must feature Chinese elements. I am a tree rooted in China, and moved to France. Though I have absorbed the sunshine, rain and dew in Europe, my root is in China.