Diverse Ensemble: Reviving Liao Dynasty dance and music from millennia-old murals

Since the 1970s, numerous Liao-Dynasty tombs have been discovered in Hebei Province, China. The murals adorning these tombs, now over a millennium old, retain their vibrant colors and intricate details. Depicting everything from daily life and musical banquets to court musicians and noble families, these rich murals offer an encyclopedic glimpse into the social life of Liao Dynasty.

Among these murals, the painting “Diverse Ensemble” is particularly remarkable for its exquisite depictions of human figures. It vividly portrays eight elegantly dressed musicians and dancers, bringing the main performance form of Liao-Dynasty music and dance – Diverse Ensemble back to life across the millennia.

In 2021, the Dance Academy of Shenyang Conservatory of Music began to create a dance based on the mural “Diverse Ensemble”. Prior to this, there had been few works dedicated to Liao-Dynasty dance and music. By delving into Liao-Dynasty musical culture and recreating the dance movements, the creative team has brought the “Diverse Ensemble”from the ancient murals onto a modern stage, allowing audiences to experience this vibrant art form once again.