Clouds roll through the sky, as a small flock of birds pass by. An endless expanse of trees is interrupted only by a lone mountain, its peak surrounded in thick mist. In the distance the call of sparrows can be heard, breaking the otherwise utter silence. This is just a glimpse of the images portrayed by the six musicians on this compilation, who use no brush or canvas to paint their landscapes; instead they use the silk strings of the guqin, the rumble of the drum, the lull of the pipa, the whistle of the bamboo flute, the wail of the erhu, and the thrum of the guzheng. Each instrument brings its own unique hues to the portrait, depicting various scenes of the beauty and serenity of nature.

Let the music take you to a place far away, where words aren’t necessary, where one can be alone with the call of the birds and the whisper of the wind.

On the cherry-apple tree, dew collects on the freshly blooming flowers, forming droplets which then fall to the ground. Outside the bedroom window of the small cabin, rain patters on the leaves of a banana tree. Birds sing among mountains, fog crawls along a river, waves crash against the shore. These musical embodiments of nature’s miracles, vivid and astounding, not only make you want to visit these places, they take you there. On the basis of the traditional Chinese concept of heaven, earth and man coexisting together in harmony, these timeless melodies will sweep you away to places you otherwise can only imagine or dream of.

It’s time to slow down; set your mind at ease, let your imagination take you where it may, and visit a place where the only sounds are the song of birds and the trickle of a narrow stream. Set aside all your worries and woes, and escape from the cacophony of the world, to a sanctuary of serenity and everlasting harmony.

This compilation was entirely recorded live, outdoors, beneath the Juyong Pass of the Great Wall, under the expertise of Professor Zeng Tianli of China Communications University, and with the assistance of Chinese freestyle brushwork artist Ms. Amy Leung. The album has an air which showcases the traditions of Chinese folk music, but at the same time makes many bold and innovative steps into the unknown. Experience the aesthetic aspirations of the ancient Chinese, as these traditional instruments take you across deserts, over rivers, atop mountains, into the vast ocean, and anywhere else that peace may be waiting for you. The musicians, with their expertise in traditional music, refined through new innovative interpretations, allow you to travel back through history, witnessing the beauty of life. Many of the songs are eternal embodiments of legends, such as that of Meng Jiang Nü, who wept at the foot of the Great Wall after her husband was forced to work himself to death there. Renowned music producer Ye Yunchuan brings you a bold new take on traditional Chinese instruments; award-winning musicians Zhao Xiaoxia, Ma Rui, Yu Yuanchun, Su Chang, Li Juan and Ma Ke, along with top-notch recording artist Li Dakang, create a visionary collection of Chinese music, combining traditional aesthetics with novel techniques; and Stockfisch Studios of Germany provide the mixing and mastering, completing the international team of artists. Every song is a new world, full of astonishing sights and wondrous sounds.

Atop distant mountains, among dense pine forests, within the cool water of a spring, there’s something to be found, a place long forgotten, but always waiting. Man and nature are one, we created music among nature, and music can take us back there, to the tranquil solace of its embrace.