Music meets martial arts as Ding Yi mixes genres in their newest experimental concert.

In troubled times, heroes emerge, and in Battle Scores, Ding Yi Music Company reminds us that collaboration remains one of art’s greatest strengths. Co-presented with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, this imaginative concert fuses Chinese chamber music with theatrical storytelling, creating a world where music and martial arts collide.

Conducted by Wong De Li, Dedric, and directed by theatre veteran Chong Tze Chien, from the opening act, The Gathering, the stage is charged with energy. The “battle” begins with a grand overture that sets the tone and pace for the evening. Each of the five featured instruments; the huqin, dizi, guzheng, suona, and percussion, represents a different martial arts sect, and together they weave a tale of rivalry, ambition, and ultimately, unity.

Instead of traditional shadow puppetry, the production uses live performers to cast larger-than-life silhouettes, making for a creative choice that draws the audience deeper into the action. The narration, delivered with precision and warmth by Lee Yong Tick, threads the story together seamlessly, synchronising beautifully with the movement and music.

Among the instrumentalists, Yvonne Tay’s guzheng work stands out for its elegance and consistency. Her performance is nothing short of imperial; it is poised, expressive, and precise. Each musician, in fact, is given a chance to shine and the show feels like a respectful sparring match, each instrument revealing its unique timbre and temperament in turn.

There are moments, however, when the visual elements verge on distraction. The theatrical effects, such as using an overhead projector, glass, and water to symbolise blood, are clever but occasionally draw focus away from the music itself. Still, such experimentation reflects Ding Yi’s continual push to innovate and keep audiences engaged.

As a venue, the SCCC Auditorium also poses its challenges, acoustically and spatially, and one senses that this ambitious work could have soared even higher in a more immersive setting. Despite that, the ensemble’s commitment never falters. As the story builds to its climactic clash of the “five warriors” – dizi, suona, erhu, percussion and guzheng, the air thickens with both tension and artistry. This understanding of the music by Wong is clearly articulated in this sequence and really lifts the piece.

By the final act, The Victor, the music swells into a grand, cinematic finale reminiscent of an imperial court drama, crafting a mood that’s both regal and rousing. It’s a reminder that Ding Yi’s musicianship remains second to none; the music itself is glorious, even if the staging sometimes overshadows it.

Battle Scores may not have been a perfect match between martial arts and music, but it was certainly a brave one, where the attempt to try something new is always appreciated with new directions to be explored. In its fusion of disciplines, it proves that Ding Yi continues to forge new paths for Chinese music, as they continue to try making it accessible, always ambitious and full of heart.

Photo Credit: Ding Yi Music Company

Battle Scores played on 18th October 2025 at the Singapore Chinese Culture Centre Auditorium. More information available here