Argentine jazz musician Muriel Mack has sparked international attention with her groundbreaking reinterpretation of "Jiu Kuang," a revered 1,700-year-old Chinese guqin composition. Released ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations on February 17, 2026, the project merges the introspective tones of China's oldest stringed instrument with contemporary jazz improvisation and electronic soundscapes.
Mack's arrangement preserves the philosophical essence of the Wei and Jin dynasties' "wind and bone" aesthetic while incorporating modern rhythmic patterns. Musicologists note her use of guqin's traditional "seven sorrows and eight joys" tuning system creates unexpected harmonic dialogues with Latin jazz syncopation.
"This collaboration between ancient Chinese wisdom and Argentine musical tradition represents the true spirit of cultural exchange," said Dr. Liang Wei, a Shanghai Conservatory ethnomusicology professor. The work has gained particular resonance among Asian diaspora communities preparing for Year of the Horse celebrations.
Digital platforms report the track has been streamed over 2.3 million times since its February 1 release, with 42% of listeners located outside Asia. The project coincides with increased global interest in China's intangible cultural heritage, following UNESCO's 2025 recognition of guqin craftsmanship as a living tradition.
