Collaboration Recap: A Resonant Path Between Pop Lyricism and Classical Narrative

Wind Music
May 20
3 min read

Dear Music Lover,

How are you? As we approach the halfway mark of 2025, we’re excited to share a unique music event that has resonated deeply with audiences and sparked the interest of music lovers everywhere — a special collaboration between Canadian-Hong Kong singer-songwriter Tennyson King and Taiwanese musician Chung-Ching CHEN.

Before they met, one key connection already united them: both are passionate performers of the Zhongruan, a traditional Chinese four-string plucked instrument. Known for its serene, gentle, and poetic tone, the Zhongruan was widely featured in court banquets and folk music performances during the Tang Dynasty. One of the most iconic pieces for this instrument is Reminiscences of Yunnan (1987), composed by Chinese musician Liu Xing.

This time, Wind Music presented a concert and a workshop under the theme Zhongruan Crossover. Through this collaboration, Tennyson and Chung-Ching explored the energy of improvisation and the beauty of genre fusion, offering a refreshing musical dialogue between cultures and traditions.

Let’s take a look at how these events unfolded — and hear directly from the musicians about their reflections on this meaningful collaboration!

Reimagining Traditional Techniques in Pop Music: Q&A with Tennyson King

Tennyson King is a Canada-based singer-songwriter whose music blends indie folk-rock with a nomadic spirit. Performing with guitar, kick drum, and Zhongruan, he brings a multicultural fusion style rooted in Canada’s strong folk music scene.

Despite the large Asian population in Canada, the Zhongruan remains relatively uncommon there. Tennyson has taught himself the instrument, reimagining traditional techniques to develop his own unique sound.

His connection with Taiwan began last year with his first tour and the release of a bilingual single, “All of You 你的所有.” He’s also recently collaborated with Taiwanese indie band Lilium.

You and Chung-Ching collaborated live on your song 'All of You 你的所有'. How does it differ from the original track?

T: It was such a wonderful experience. In the recorded track the traditional instrument that is featured is the Guzheng. Chung-Ching performed her Liuqin and played the melodic lines from the recording with her own style in a way that complimented the Liuqin. We also added a solo section for her to showcase the Liuqin even more. It was beautiful. She also sings with me on the last chorus and has a beautiful voice!

This is your first time working with a classical musician. Can you share what made the collaboration with Chung-Ching unique or memorable?

T: Chung-Ching is great to work with. We got to spend a lot of time together, which to me, is what music and collaborations are really about— Connecting and becoming friends with people we create with. Her songs are instrumental, when I was listening to them to come up with ideas, I got a lot of lyrical inspiration and wrote about the feeling that her songs gave me. As someone learning to perform more in the traditional style on Zhongruan, watching and learning from her playing was very memorable for me.

Did your experience working with Chung-Ching spark any new ideas or inspiration for your future music?

T: Yes it definitely did. Just hearing how she played the Zhongruan and Liuqin on my songs sparked ideas of how trad. I would love to co-write a song with her where we can really blend her compositional arrangements with the style of indie folk music that I write.

You spoke openly about your personal stories during the tour—experiences with migration, emotions, and lifestyle. What message do you hope to share through your music?

T: I hope to share messages that inspire people to be kind and live with love towards themselves and others. To be confident in who they are and embrace their own identities, culture, languages and emotions despite what others may think. I hope that through my music listeners will see the beauty that is around us, enjoy all the little things and truly live in the moment.

Any words you’d like to share with your audience in Taiwan?

T: I hope I will have many more words and time with my Taiwan family. I love the land so much and all the people that live on it. After this tour, I truly feel a deep connection with everyone. I just know that I am meant to be returning to build stronger relationships with everyone, continue to share my music and continue to collaborate with Taiwanese artists.