Lent by the Hubei Provincial Museum. Music figured prominently in ancient Chinese thought and society. In 1978, the accidental discovery of an intact tomb went far in providing a variety of instruments. Live footage on the discovery of this archaeological find opens the exhibition. An audio guide narrated by cellist Yo-Yo Ma features sounds of the instruments.
Visitors can experiment with replica instruments in the learning center.
Music in the Age of Confucius is made possible by generous grants from two anonymous donors and the New York Community Trust-The Island Fund. Important additional support is provided by H. Christopher Luce and Tina Liu, the Jennie Zoline Foundation, the Feinberg Foundation, the Smithsonian Educational Outreach Fund, Robert C. Tang, the Ellen Bayard Weedon Foundation, and an anonymous donor. Significant funds for this project have been made available through the Smithsonian Institution, the Else Sackler Public Affairs Endowment, the Education Endowment Fund, and the Chinese Art Research Fund of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. WETA-TV's Around Town visits Music in the Age of Confucius.