People who heard the music duo Khac Chi perform for the South Okanagan Concert Society described what they experienced as “amazing”, “charming”, “joyful”, “genuine”, “lighthearted”, “lovely”,”engaging”, “unbelievable.” They thought they were simply going to a concert in Oliver but in fact, they ended up going on a musical trip to the forest highlands, farms and fishing villages of a Vietnam of several generations ago.
The first thing that greeted the audience was a stage full of curiously constructed instruments, each still growing some elegant wisps of bamboo shoots here and there.
We soon learned that Khac Chi and his wife Bic are master builders, performers, and teachers of traditional Vietnamese instruments. Some of the instruments we heard them play were invented by Chi himself! Bic and Chi, with their lovely voices, expressive acting, and charming explanations, were expert “tour guides” into the beautiful folklore and rich culture of Vietnam. They drew us in to many different moods over the course of the evening, from shy love songs to neighbourly teasing among farmers. Many times, we couldn’t help but laugh.
Heightening our amazement was the pervading sense that what Bic and Chi could do with their instruments was just not physically possible. For example, take the “Cloput”. I think this is the only instrument invented that can be played without the performer touching it! Bic skillfully clapped her hands in cup shape, forcing air into a series of horizontally ordered bamboo tubes, made from former fence posts that stood between small farm plots, and producing a marimba-like sound.
Another instrument consisted of two vertical foot-activated bamboo tubes which created a bass-drum effect. Both singers were experts at playing a mouth-twanging “harp” to achieve the typical “boing-boing” sound, while simultaneously singing elaborate melodies.
Bic’s courage to break with tradition in playing a Vietnamese violin, usually reserved for men, who wish to impress their future wives, was only matched by her skill in actually playing the instrument. It defies description! Imagine making music on a stick, which has no resonating chamber at all. The energy from the single bowed string is transferred along a thread to a vibrating membrane held in the mouth. By changing the shape of her mouth, Bic was able to alter the sound from “Ma-ma” to “Meow-Meow”. I was reminded of the “wah-wah” pedal of the electric guitar.
The second half of the program featured Chi playing the Dan Bau and the mini piano, both expertly constructed by him. Rock guitar players could relate to the Dan Bau, I’m sure. With its water buffalo “tremolo bar” and its single string, it is capable of doing “dive-bomb” effects a la Jimi Hendrix, but also subtle, chime-y harmonics. Chi is a true virtuoso!
All through the evening the song titles evoked romance; Forest Love, Full Moon Dance, Spring in the Highlands, When the Wind Calls. Most fitting was the addition of a tune our western ears could all recognize, The Lonely Goatherd, from the Sound of Music. This was performed with an impish grin on Chi’s face and an instrument of his own invention, a sort of cross between a flute and plumber’s helper that was flailed about expertly on his chest and thighs. Too funny!
After a standing ovation the performers replaced the obligatory encore with a cordial invitation to everyone to come up to the stage and try out the instruments themselves, which we did. Some of the children clapped their cupped hands while others tried the mini bamboo piano.
After about half an hour of concentrated effort I felt that I could create the first line of Twinkle, Twinkle on the Dan Bau.
Our temporary venue was the Oliver Alliance Church, and it was perfect for the audience participation during this particular show.
The considerable challenge of handling the nine different microphones was expertly managed by Steve Dirks. The concert society has appreciated he and Shiela Lange’s behind-the-scenes support all these past three years.
We encourage all music lovers to pay attention to the publicity surrounding our SOCS’s final offering this season, Ken Lavigne and his orchestra will be in Oliver on February 28. The venue for his show, “The Road to Carnegie Hall,” will be the new Frank Venables Theatre starting at 7:30 pm.
Bob Park
Special to the Chronicle
