The French have been a force in Chinese audio/video for 90 years (A.B. continues the tradition)...................
chinadaily.net
Recording industry celebrates anniversary
PREPARATIONS for a grand celebration of two historical events -- the 120th anniversary of
the world recording industry and the 90th anniversary of the Chinese recording industry -- are
in full swing with only two weeks to go before the show begins.
The celebration, a tribute to China's recording industry, is being organized by the China Audio
& Video Association, China Record Corp (CRC), Beijing Music Radio and Beijing Sun
Spread Co Ltd.
The week-long event, including an international symposium, an international exposition and
two gala shows, to be held from November 8 to 15, is attracting world-leading recording
groups, television stations, radio stations, musicians and recording experts.
Ninety years ago, a Frenchman came to Shanghai to record Chinese folklore. He went back
to France to edit his work and the records were later sold in China. The album is now
believed to be the first one produced in China, marking China's entry into the world recording
industry.
China's recording industry has made significant progress, particularly since the founding of
New China in 1949.
Entering the 1980s and 1990s, the market demand for recordings has increased dramatically,
making the country a market that no recording companies, whether foreign or domestic, can
afford to ignore.
China's recording groups have been continually narrowing the gap between foreign products
and their own.
CRC, the first and the biggest State-owned producer of audio and video products, has been
striving to take a bigger share of the market -- mainly through the promotion of Chinese
music.
One of their recent ambitious plans is to release a collection of 100 CD albums of Chinese
folk, pop and art songs.
However, facing fierce competition from world recording giants, China's recording industry
still has a long way to go to in improving both the quality and quantity of its recordings.
"Opportunities & Challenges" is therefore the core of the topics which will be widely
discussed at the upcoming international symposium. More than 30 research papers have now
been prepared for the symposium.
Big names in the world recording business, including PolyGram, Sony Corp, Warner, EMI
and BMG, as well as hundreds of small domestic recording companies from Hong Kong and
Taiwan, will be bringing their products to the exhibition.
More interestingly, some private collectors will also be displaying their collections. Some rare
recordings preserved by the late Peking Opera maestro Mei Lanfang, dating back to as early
as the 1920s and 1930s, will be highlighted.
Gala performances, involving celebrated singers from Peking Opera, Western opera and folk
and pop circles, will be staged.
Date: 10/28/97
Author: Mao Mao
Copyrightc by China Daily |
