Sabian - Because Sound Matters

SABIAN cymbals featured in Beijing’s dazzling Olympic closing ceremony

Aug 27, 2008

China was keen to impress the world with spectacular opening and closing ceremonies for the recent Olympic games... and they succeeded!

The performances in the closing ceremony featured many SABIAN instruments. The Chinese Military Band performed with a full complement of SABIAN Synergy hand cymbals that were clearly heard in the playing of the Chinese national anthem. In addition, SABIAN endorser and international percussion soloist, Li Biao, led an ensemble of 8 percussionists that performed a prominent part in the music for the ceremony. Each player had 12 cymbals and three triangles as part of their set-ups.

Instruments that were used by Li Biao and other percussionists included:-

6" HH Splash
6" AA Splash
8" AAX Splash
8" HH Splash
10" AA China Splash
10" AAX O-Zone Splash
12" AAX O-Zone Splash
14" HH Mini Chinese
16" HH Thin Chinese
16" HH Chinese
20" AA Chinese
12" AA Mini Hi-Hats
4" HH Triangle
6" HH Triangle
8" HH Triangle

These formidable set-ups made a great contribution to the overall production of the ceremony. Li Biao's playing has long been known to the international community through his performances in Europe and as a soloist with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra. In 2009 he will make several soloist appearances with the orchestra when it tours Europe.