Music strengthens cross-strait ties

Nearly one hundred musicians from 21 symphony orchestras around the country have come together for a cross-strait concert at the National Center for the Performing Arts on Monday night in Beijing.

The show kicks off the national tour of the Cross-Strait Philharmonic Orchestra for 2010.

The grand night opened with a piece composed by Taiwan musician Liu Xuexuan. The opener was inspired by the Tzushr Temple, a famous tourist destination in Taiwan. The piece seamlessly combines elements drawn from folk numbers, classical music, and religious tunes of Taiwan.

The show kicks off the national tour of the Cross-Strait Philharmonic Orchestra for 2010.

It was then followed by "Mountain Condolence", composed by mainland musician Guo Wenjing. Performers collaborated with percussionist Li Biao in giving a fiery rendition of the volcanic explosion and the catharsis of emotions.

Jian Wenbin, conductor, said, "Pieces we've chosen for the concert are all folk music oriented, that's because we hope artists in the mainland and Taiwan can enter the inner worlds of each other through the means of music."

The Cross-Strait Philharmonic Orchestra consists of 36 Taiwan musicians and 57 artists from the Chinese mainland. The group made its debut tour around China in 2009, and met with enthusiastic response from both critics and music lovers.

The orchestra was established in response to the proposal of the Foundation of China Symphony Orchestras. Guo Shan, the chairperson of the Foundation, says she hopes music can help eliminate cultural differences and promote mutual understanding across the strait.