Chinese orchestra performs fusion of traditional folk songs

Zhao Cong, vice-president and the principal pipa player of China National Traditional Orchestra, spent months arranging the Chinese musical piece Full Bloom into a duet for the pipa and the Russian balalaika, both plucked instruments iconic of their countries.

"The piece includes a section of antiphonal music between the pipa and balalaika, which can clearly present the beauty of different folk instruments through contrast, and also highlight the cooperation between them," Zhao said.

The leading pipa player says that though she has performed on stage along with Western instruments such as guitars and violins, it was the first time she performed the piece with a balalaika player, and she was excited to see the outcome.