China, US symphony orchestras to stage ‘Light of Liangzhu’ concert

With the theme "Revitalization of Civilization: Cultural Heritage and Human Culture Diversity”, the 3rd Liangzhu Forum opened today in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province.

Tonight, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra will jointly hold the "Light of Liangzhu" special concert to mark this event, highlighting civilizational exchange.

“We have been working for a few months to prepare for tonight’s performance,” Ryan Fleur, president and chief executive officer of Philadelphia Orchestra, told China Daily website this morning. “Our musicians have been in China for two weeks and they were here at the historic site making music and rehearsing with Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra.”

“We’re particularly excited for tonight’s performance, not only to meet artists and musicians of the Zhejiang Symphony, but also to connect with people, especially the distinguished guests attending the forum,” he said.

One of the most important pieces of the concert will be A Night of Flowers and Moonlight by the Spring River. “It is inspired by the Tang Dynasty poem of the same name, but it is western music sung in mandarin by western singers,” Fleur added.