It's the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensembles's "Roar of the Dragon," - a spirited and meticulously drilled drum concert. (Photo: CCTV.com)

Beijing's Tianqiao Theatre resounds with rhythm. There's dancing, chanting and colorful lighting. It's the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensembles's "Roar of the Dragon," - a spirited and meticulously drilled drum concert. The performers got the audience going, with flashy costumes, electric motion, and a compelling beat.

They are the central instruments to any Chinese celebration. It's the drums that generate power and grandeur. Thus, drums are considered the instrument to recreate the roar of a dragon.

It's the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensembles's "Roar of the Dragon," - a spirited and meticulously drilled drum concert. (Photo: CCTV.com)

 It would take a long time to enumerate the variations spawned by percussion over its four-thousand-year evolution. The bond with dance created a blistering performance of hyper-kinetic choreography on stage Wednesday.

The troupe uses a variety of Chinese drums, ranging from hand held to the waist drum, to the large units that are the size of wine barrels. The performers can coax from their instruments, an amazing array of sounds and percussive melodies.

Although drumming is the core of the performance, the dancing gives it animation.

(CCTV March 28,2008)