Xi'an Symphony Orchestra starts its music season

On the evening of March 9, the XSO Xi'an Symphony Orchestra opened its 2019 season in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi province in Northwest China.

At its opening performance, Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major and Midsummer Night Dream were presented together with great splendor and excitement, which aroused great audience interest.

Performance scene [Photo by Wang Xiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

This was the sixth season that conductor Dane Lam and the XSO Xi'an Symphony Orchestra have co-operated hand in hand. The timeless classics in the new season's repertoire radiate their composers’ national characteristics and folk music styles. Each work has different characteristics of region, country and nation, and so the season promises to be a dazzling world music journey, rich and colorful. The season is therefore named "Entering the New World".

Pianist Angela Hewitt performs. [Photo by Wang Xiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

There will be 28 performances throughout the season, from March 9 to the December 30 Xi'an New Year Concert. More than ten world-class artists including pianist Angela Hewitt and violinist Sophie Mutter; soprano singer He Hui will also be joining in. In addition to Beethoven's and Mendelssohn's works, the classics of many music masters of Italy, the Czech Republic, Russia, the United States and other parts of the world will be performed.

In order to popularize and promote classical music, the XSO Xi'an Symphony Orchestra has developed many publicity techniques since its establishment: flash mobs, outdoor performances, audiovisual concerts, sleeping concerts, immersion concerts, Christmas Cosplay concerts and others, which not only show a very high degree of professionalism but also creative forms. Within a few years, many hard-core music fans have been accumulated, including many student groups.

“This is my sixth music season as chief conductor. I have witnessed the changes in the city of Xi'an and the changes in the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra,” Dane Lam said.

“I am sure you will agree that the "Entering the New World" music season of 2019 will bring the great trend of world music to us, and the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra will become the Pearl of the laurel of Xi'an culture. Music is always with you and me,” the conductor said.