In 964 AD, the last emperor of Southern Tang Kingdom, Li Yu, was dissatisfied with one of his officials Han Xizai, who indulged in nightlife everyday, but he did not want to express his anger directly. Instead, the emperor sent a court painter to the house of Han Xizai and ordered him to depict what he really saw. After the painted scroll Night Revels of Han Xizai was finished, the emperor presented it to Han Xizai as a gift, and Han Xizai felt very ashamed when seeing the painting. The action of the emperor Li Yu was well-intentioned, hoping Han Xizai to correct his own behaviour. The story is documented in The Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties (Wu Dai Shi Bu), written by Tao Yue in 1012 during the Northern Song Dynasty.
Night Revels of Han Xizai is split into five distinct sections: Listening to Pipa; Watching Dancers; Resting; Playing Wind Instruments; and Seeing Guests Off. The painting lively narrates the scenes of life in China over one thousand years ago. As far as the section “playing wind instruments” is concerned, what are these five women musicians playing?
In 964•Heterophony for five instruments, composer Guohui Ye expresses his feelings upon seeing this 1050-year-old painting...