“[Shen Yun], it’s almost surreal,” said Lynn Ahlden, president of the board for the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra. “Yes, it’s absolutely beautiful. The talent, the physical skills, all of it. I didn’t quite know what to expect. I read a little bit about it but I’m thrilled. I’m thrilled.”
Ahlden described the erhu’s sometimes enchanting, sometimes energizing, human-like sound, “I think it’s beautiful ... exquisite.”
“I think music, talent like that, it’s something we all have in common and appreciate the beauty,” she added.
With a history of over 4,000 years, the erhu is an instrument that seems to embody China’s heritage and the depth of that rich culture. According to Shen Yun’s website, “The erhu is incredibly expressive, capable of imitating sounds from chirping birds to neighing horses. ... In its lowest and middle range, the erhu is especially stirring and somber, a quality eminently suitable for conveying the grand pageant of China’s history and the emotions of its people.”
Ahlden observed and appreciated Shen Yun’s spirituality, even in the way it was expressed in the program book. “The program reads almost like poetry, it really does, I love that. I read all of that [program] before. Not the Chinese part,” she said, laughing. “I’m loving it.”
“And the program helped me understand that it would be coming through like that. But it does, it’s very strong. You get their message. I was interested to find out where their schools are—in New York,” she said.
To Shen Yun’s artists, as they bring their mission of cultural revival around the world, Ahlden said, “Oh, I wish them well. I wish them very, very well.”
The communist regime carrying out this campaign of terror even tries to interfere with Shen Yun’s performances around the world. Shen Yun’s performance includes depictions of the reality of the persecution, as well as the compassion and faith that some spiritual followers in China exhibit in the face of brutality.
“The overall message? Peace,” Ahlden said. “I really feel that it was peace. And the fact that we’re all more alike than we’re different. Do you see what I mean? ... If we can only relate better like that it would be a much better world, it really would.”
“Yes, it’s not all that hard [to do],” she continued. “Things like [Shen Yun] really help a lot, they really really do. I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you.”