About The Show


About the Dance

Ancient cultures of different periods are infused into people's genes, forming a kind of "bearing" that is associated with every move a human being makes. Whatever dance position or move you may do, every extension of your arm and every planting of your foot expresses this bearing. This is why there is a big difference in every move, look or sound made by a Chinese versus a Western person.

Chinese classical dance is so unique because it has been passed down from ancient China. Ancient Chinese people emphasized chivalry, loyalty, and honesty, harmony of body and mind and the belief in the divine. Chinese classical dance emphasizes this inner meaning.

A good performer must constantly study self control, and be in harmony throughout oneself. One must religiously restrict oneself if he (she) wants to be a good Chinese classical dance artist. To perfect one's dance, one needs to apply this philosophy. This is totally different from modern dance, which emphasizes the expression of one's desires and emotion.

Hundreds of dancers from all over the world rehearse almost every day for over a year for the New Year Spectacular, taught by teachers who have graduated from China's top dance schools.

It is not just about learning dance movements seen on the surface; it is about expressing the inner qualities of true Chinese ethnicity.


About the Music

The Chinese believed that music was handed down from the gods and was played to exalt gods. Music is alive, because in the view of the Chinese ancients, every single object in the world has life. In fact, in Chinese, when we refer to a musical note we call it a 'live note'.

Traditionally composed Chinese music is based on a series of pentatonic (5-note) scales. This system has its roots in Taoism, which teaches that all matter is formed from the five basic elements of metal, earth, wood, fire, and water. It teaches that in order for a being to be healthy, it must have all of these elements in balance.

There are also eight note scales that relate to the Taoist symbol called the bagua, which is most commonly known in the West as part of the practice of fengshui, or geomancy.

The Spectacular also uses a very ancient 7-note scale used as a base with modern elements added to suit the piece. In fact, the specific bases used in some of the scores are the same as that found in the ancient music written on scrolls that were discovered by archeologists in actual Chinese caves years ago.

The Spectacular music is a harmonic balance of the structure of the well ordered western classical composition with the free form melody driven music of Chinese culture.

The Spectacular music is able to uplift people's hearts and minds. It is good for the soul.


The Costumes

The dazzling costumes in NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular are as much a part of each dance as the dance movements themselves. A single dance in this year's Spectacular, can require more than 100 costumes and accessories. This is what transports us to the Divine Land of ancient China. Designers pore over paintings, frescoes and even statues to find the right look.

Spectacular Costumes take inspiration from different dynasties and ethnic regions including the Prosperous and peaceful Tang dynasty which drew on influences from India, the Middle East and Europe. All this is reflected in the clothes which were rich, confident and uplifting.

Clothing wasn't just a way to cover the body. It was also a reflection of a person's thoughts, culture and respect for the gods.

Through the brilliant costumes ancient Chinese culture come alive and the positive aspects of ancient China will not be forgotten.


About The Set

On a gigantic LED screen a mythical paradise rises out of the clouds, complete with golden colonnades and marble steps. Clouds begin rolling across the scene. A shining light appears, slowly descending from a corner of the sky.

These 3-D digital backgrounds are a unique part of The Chinese new year Spectacular, a multi million dollar 3-D set up created exclusively for the show and able to make the viewer feel they are part of the scene.

Meticulous research is done by the digital designers who go through stacks of books, researching paintings from the period and gathering whatever sources they can find in order to make the scene as authentic and believable for the audience as possible.

After the scene is drawn, it is time for the technological wizardry to render these three-dimensional images onto the two-dimensional background. For example, in the show, the audience saw distant fairy maidens, flying down from the sky, only to appear on stage moments later.

The ultimate goal of these backgrounds is to use modern technology as a tool to transmit the true spirit of traditional Chinese culture. The audience should feel like the dancer is truly in the place created by the background. The audience does not just see the picture of a ship or ocean but is actually riding across the waves. The background opens the stage, expanding the space beyond its boundaries. In short, it is the creation of a world that brings the audience right into the highest quality of beautiful traditional Chinese art.



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