Music rises with the tide in ancient Yanguan
Thousand-year-old viewing tradition becomes the backdrop for an ambitious orchestral debut, Chen Nan reports.
Set against the town's centuries-old backdrop of stone bridges, flowing rivers, and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, about 400 musicians from across the country came together to create a vibrant and fresh cultural atmosphere in Yanguan.
The Tide Philharmonic Orchestra, in collaboration with the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, Ningbo Symphony Orchestra, China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Central Conservatory of Music Choir, and the Lanzhou Concert Hall Choir, presented a reimagined performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This rendition aimed to blend the town's historical and cultural heritage with a modern symphonic interpretation.
Led by Yu Lu, the orchestra's principal conductor who was born and raised in Ningbo, Zhejiang, the performance was both an artistic and spiritual journey.
"This orchestra is not just about playing great music," says Yu during the concert. "It's about being part of something bigger — something that speaks to the soul of this town. Just as the tides shape the landscape here, music shapes the lives of those who listen. We want to create music that resonates deeply and becomes part of the everyday life of the people here."
Yu, who graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 2012, has had a distinguished career. In 2009, he was selected as one of five top students by renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa for his China tour. After a rigorous selection process, Yu stood out among his peers and became Ozawa's student and assistant conductor.
