Russian composer creates unique work based on Dunhuang

The rich imagery and colors on the Buddhist murals and statues in Dunhuang have inspired Russian composer Viktor Vasilievich Pleshak. His creation, The Silk Road Suite, premiered at the Shanghai Symphony Hall on April 11.

The Silk Road Suite - a project supported by the China National Arts Fund - is the first symphony composition about Dunhuang, a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, and the nearby Mogao Caves, where large numbers of Buddhist frescos have survived for more than 1,000 years. The suite consists of nine movements, featuring four Chinese soloists and the Lanzhou Symphony Orchestra from Gansu province, in the northwestern part of China.

The concert was conducted by Zhu Man, a female conductor from the China National Opera House.