Nan Du (南渡) is a contemporary guzheng duet composed by Qiu Ji.
The piece draws inspiration from earlier works such as Han Du (Cold Crossing) and the guqin tradition, exploring the idea of “crossing” as both a physical journey and a metaphorical passage.
Rather than focusing on destination, the music reflects movement itself — drifting, unstable, and constantly shifting between tension and stillness.
As a duet, the two guzhengs weave in and out of each other’s space, sometimes in dialogue, sometimes in divergence, like travelers moving along the same river but carried by different currents.
In this performance, I collaborated with a longtime friend and fellow musician. Our rehearsal process, as well as the shared listening and exchange during it, became an inseparable part of how the piece came to life.
For me, Nan Du is not only about crossing water, but also about crossing between people, perspectives, and moments of understanding that are never fully fixed.
Performed by Jean
Hidden Guzheng Echoes
keywords: Nan Du, 南渡, guzheng duet, Chinese music, sound journey, crossing, river metaphor, musical dialogue, instrumental storytelling, contemporary guzheng, Chinese traditional aesthetics, Hidden Guzheng Echoes
