BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
When Yelian He started learning kung fu, his teacher took him aside to share a few words.
“Not only does your series of movements use too much energy, but you’re also just full of actions all the time,” he told Yelian. But what he said next was particularly resonant.
“In music, are you always playing loud notes? No! There are soft notes as well as rests. There has to be time for action, as well as time for quiet and sensitivity, too.”
These observations have remained with Yelian for life – not only in the world of Chinese martial arts, but in the world of music. It’s why the classical performer adopts the stage name Kung Fu Cellist – and he’ll bring his unique approach to the Melbourne Recital Centre in this month’s aptly subtitled concert extra/ordinary.
Yelian’s performance is about all of those things he learnt with his teacher – energy and quiet; action and sensitivity. It’s also about using those qualities to tread a rare path in life.
This was a topic of conversation between the cellist and his collaboration partner Joseph Lallo (pictured below), a classical saxophonist who also had unusual experiences during study and while forging his successful career in performance, education, and artistic direction. (The saxophone is not traditionally considered an orchestral instrument, which can be a plot twist for those who love classical music and choose to enter the industry with this jazz-associated instrument.)
“It became most apparent that neither of us had a ‘traditional’ pathway, and had carved our own trails away from the beaten path,” Yelian reveals.
“I wanted to work with Joe for this recital because of his meaningful curation in his past projects, as well as his boundless enthusiasm to delve into and explore new sound worlds.
“Also, cello and sax – what a rare but perfect combination!”
The event title Kung Fu Cellist — extra/ordinary came out of conversations like these. But it’s also a useful description of a cellist who has achieved global success as a performer while simultaneously studying (and now teaching) Wing Chun.
“I find that being active in both a physical and musical art gives me a balance and perspective I didn’t have when I only pursued one,” Yelian observes.
The Chinese-Australian cellist has travelled to China to perform in major Shanghai and Beijing venues, and feature on TV and radio stations. He also presented masterclasses with pianist and collaborator Yasmin Rowe (pictured below), who performed alongside him in the Melbourne Recital Centre concert Kung Fu Cellist – Y-Squared earlier this year.
Yelian has won such awards as the Royal Over-Seas League String Competition and Australian Cello Awards, and in 2011 was presented to Queen Elizabeth II as an outstanding Australian achiever.
He also studies Wing Chun with his Sifu (teacher) Master Darryl Moy, who holds a deep connection to the martial art as Tse Qigong Centre’s chief instructor.
Master Moy’s own Grandteacher – Grandmaster Ip Chun – is the son of Ip Man, who taught Bruce Lee.
“Kung fu doesn’t mean fighting skills, kung fu means a skilled person, so you can find kung fu wherever you look – as long as you know how to look,” Master Moy has said.
To this, Yelian adds that the Chinese characters for kung fu are a literal translation of “skill” and “person”, which holds meaning beyond the martial artform associated with the term.
“In the olden days, Chinese people could walk around their village or town and claim this baker, or that carpenter, or that chef, has good ‘Kung Fu’. It would mean they’re very skilled at what they do,” Yelian shares.
“I named the recitals Kung Fu Cellist because that’s who I want to be, somebody who is singularly passionate about skill – specifically cello and Chinese martial arts – and will always continue to look for ways to improve.
“Through these recitals, I hope to introduce many more who I know have passionately pursued their chosen skill as well.”
Yelian and Joseph explore these ideas through music from Mozart and Rameau, as well as more recent compositions from Australia’s Stuart Greenbaum, French composer Guillaume Connesson, and Swedish cellist and hard rocker Svante Henryson.
“I’m actually incredibly excited about all of the pieces on the program!” Yelian says.
“I don’t think I’ve ever tackled a set of music this diverse in style and colour. Joe is so talented in sourcing these amazing works!”
The cellist is also enthusiastic about seeing Stuart “take a bow for his awesome work Northern Lights” after the performance.
“He’s such a lovely man with a wonderful ear and imagination,” he says of the composer.
Yelian is looking forward to meeting you too, when you listen to the extra/ordinary music he will play in the Melbourne Recital Centre.
“I think one of the strengths of the Kung Fu Cellist concerts is the interactivity with audience members,” he says.
“I’d often take the time to chat to the audience about my guests, the inspirations behind the evening’s performance, and sometimes my own experiences while studying.
“The Primrose Potter Salon is a really great venue for all of these ideas.”
Hear Kung Fu Cellist — extra/ordinary at 6pm June 13 at Primrose Potter Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre.
Images supplied. Joseph credit Agatha Lim. Yelian credit P Tarasiuk.
