Spring Festival cheer for US
The Qingdao Symphony Orchestra wowed American audiences with its eclectic mix of Chinese melodies during its 10-day tour of the United States during the Spring Festival.
Titled Image China: Chinese New Year Concert 2009, the QSO concerts were held in Harvard College on January 23, followed by Yale University, Carnegie Hall and Kean University, before ending last Sunday at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The pieces played included George Gershwin's concert version of Porgy and Bess and a pipa concerto from China.
The principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic, Wang Liang, was the highlight of the tour. In his shared rendition of Extase with Chen Qigang, he combined a soft Shanxi folk melody with the symphonic way of playing, winning high praise.
The concerts featured China's leading pianists Yin Chengzong and Chen Sa. Pipa player Zhang Hongyan shared the stage with US artists including soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme and baritone Alvy Powell.
The audience was drawn not only by the music but also by the chance to partake of the special Chinese Spring Festival spirit. Yin played Chinese melodies, including The Yellow River, The Red Lantern, A Moonlit River on a Spring Night and The Spring Festival Overture.
"We artists should promote communication between the two countries, and especially highlight modern Chinese culture," said veteran conductor Hu Yongyan, who took the baton for the entire tour. Zhang, the pipa player, said: "Touring the US during the Spring Festival was special, and provided a good chance for China to display its culture to America."
Established in 2005, QSO is China's youngest professional orchestra. Since its founding, it has attracted many top domestic and international musicians such as Lang Lang and Hu Yongyan. With their support, QSO has toured Russia and South Korea, to wide acclaim from music critics and audiences.
China Daily
(China Daily 02/05/2009 page8)
