The China National Symphony Orchestra recently made its Canadian debut with a four-city tour, bringing together Western classical music and traditional Chinese melodies in a series of concerts celebrating the orchestra's 70th anniversary and promoting cultural exchanges between China and Canada.
The tour opened on Sept 19 at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, where the orchestra's chamber ensemble performed its first concert in Canada. The program featured a blend of Western classical masterpieces and Chinese musical works, offering local audiences an opportunity to experience the interplay of different musical traditions.
Led by Yang Ying, deputy head of the China National Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble brought together a group of accomplished musicians, including Liu Zhiyong, the orchestra's associate concertmaster. The performance marked a significant milestone in the orchestra's 70-year history.
Following the Vancouver debut, the tour continued to the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto on Sept 23 and the Canadian Museum of History Theatre in Ottawa on Sept 25, before heading to Montreal for its final concert at Centre Pierre-Mercure on Sept 29.
The Ottawa concert coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday celebrating reunion. The orchestra performed a selection of Chinese and international classics. A highlight was Harmony, an arrangement blending the Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower with the Canadian folk song Red River Valley. The piece brought together musical traditions from the two countries and drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Wang Di, China's ambassador to Canada, said cultural and artistic exchanges serve as an important bridge for bringing people closer together. China is ready to work with Canada to deepen people-to-people exchanges and enable people in both countries to participate in, witness and benefit from China-Canada friendship.
