Zhang Weiliang's 55th Anniversary Series Concert was held at the grand hall of the Suzhou Poly Theater on Saturday, marking a milestone in the life and career of the renowned bamboo flute maestro.
The event was a complete sellout, with over 1,000 attendees, including flute and xiao (Chinese vertical flute) professionals from across China, as well as local citizens from Suzhou, Jiangsu province.
The concert was led by the celebrated national music master and professor at the China Conservatory of Music, Zhang Weiliang, who has devoted over five decades to the bamboo flute and xiao. He was joined by fellow musicians Zhang Jian, a renowned bamboo flute artist; Li Zhihan, a promising young bamboo flute performer; Shen Zhouye, a rising pipa (short-necked Chinese lute) virtuoso; and the young conductor Chai Haofu, who conducted the symphony orchestra of Jiangsu Province Arts Group.
Zhang Weiliang, 69, whose influence has spread far beyond China's borders, is celebrated not only for his flute and xiao performances but also for his contributions to music education, composition, and research. For 55 years he has been instrumental in bringing Chinese music to the global stage, and his influence continues to shape generations of musicians. The concert encapsulated the essence of his musical journey, highlighting both traditional and innovative elements of Chinese music.
