Concert performs a symphony of three composers' powerful pieces

The China National Symphony Orchestra staged a concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Saturday, which was conducted by Shui Lan and featured works by three composers of various nationalities from different eras.

During the concert's first half, the orchestra performed The Future of Fire by Pulitzer Prize-winner, Chinese American composer Zhou Long. Drawing inspiration from folk music from China's northwestern Shaanxi province, the brief yet powerful piece combines symphonic music with singing to depict farmers setting fire to dry plain grass in preparation for planting.

The second piece performed during the first half was Violin Concerto in D Major, Op 35 by Austrian-born American composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, featuring American violinist Gil Shaham. Best known for his film compositions, the composer wrote the piece in 1945 and borrowed heavily from his film scores.

The orchestra played Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 6 in B Minor, Op 74 Pathetique during the second half, which is from the orchestra's regular repertoire.