Let's rebuild history
Occurring between 1945 and 1949, this event resulted in the foundng of the People's Republic of China
What is the Chinese Civil War?
The father of Ai-Ming, a gifted composer who later worked in a factory and died in Tiananmen square.
Who is Sparrow?
The home town of Marie.
What is Vancouver?
[…] in poorer countries, people like Ma and me would not be so lonely. On television, poor countries were crowded places, overloaded elevators trying to rise to the sky. People slept six to a bed, a dozen to a room […] In fact, the way to punish someone might be to remove them from their circle of family and friends, isolate them in a cold country, and shatter them with loneliness.
Who is Marie?
One of the main composers referenced in the novel, his works mirror the stories fragmented story patterns and motifs of repetition and return.
Who is Bach?
This event lead to the end of the occupation of China by Japan.
What is Japan's loss of World War 2?
A gifted violinist who's humiliation leads her to death by suicide.
Who is Zhuli?
The city the conservatory of music was located in.
What is Shanghai?
“Revolutionary music hurts the ears after awhile. There’s no nostalgia in it, no place for people to share their sorrows."
Who is Big Mother Knife?
This Russian composer was mentioned multiple times during the Cultural Revolution timeline as his music represented the struggle of art versus political control.
Who is Shostakovich?
The year that the Tiananmen square protests and massacre occurred.
What is 1989?
A strong, pragmatic woman who endures throughout her timeline and ensures the survival of her sister, Swirl.
Who is Big Mother Knife (Kang Mei)?
The city Jiang Kai moved to prior to emigrating to Canada.
What is Hong Kong?
"I think half my life might be spent running from one position to another until I trip and make a fatal mistake."
Who is Jiang Kai?
The name of Sparrow's third symphony, written during 1989.
What is The Sun Shines on the People's Square?
Occurring during the early 1960's, this event lead to a famine estimated to have killed tens of millions of people
What is the Great Leap Forward?
The father of Sparrow who hands down his musical traditions.
Who is Ba Lute?
This province was mentioned as one of those hardest hit by famine while people in Shanghai were unaware.
What is Guangxi?
“[W]ords written on paper were talismans and could somehow protect us from harm.”
Who is Marie?
This composer was mentioned numerous times for his sonatas and his work, the Diabelli variations.
Who is Beethoven?
This man lead to the economic liberalization and cultural opening up of China in 1978.
Who is Deng Xiaoping?
The mother of Ai-ming who moved away for work early in her life.
Who is Ling?
The region Jiang Kai's rural village is located.
What is Changsha?
"When the mind is exalted, the body is lightened and feels as if it could float in the wind."
Who is Swirl?
This key work of Bach was a key piece in the novel, listed by name several times, by the 3 conservatory students but also later by Marie.
What are the The Goldberg Variations?