On July 8th, the 500th NCPA “Weekend Concert,” a specially-planned one, was held and the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra performed Chinese original classic orchestral works with pianist CHEN Sa.
LIU Ju and the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra
Hosted by LIU Xiaolong, an associate professor at School of Art, Peking University, the concert kicked off with Festival Prelude, performed by the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra under conductor LIU Ju’s baton. Then, composer SHI Wanchun, over 80 years old, appeared to interpret the creative idea of his work Festival Prelude and to explain the story behind the composition.
The orchestra performed many Chinese original classic orchestral works
Next, the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra performed Jubilance for Sunshine, a piece of music from Chinese Sights and Sounds composed based on a Sichuan folk song. As a grand orchestral work composed of six suites, Chinese Sights and Sounds depicts Han People’s life with popular Chinese folk melody and gorgeous Western orchestral music. In the performance, the audience appreciated the unique charms of the Chinese folk song integrated into a symphonic work. Going To The West Gate, a canzonet of Shanxi, revealed how reluctant two lovers are to part with each other. Another musical composition Going to Xikou described to the audience how something funny occurs one after another on two sisters’ way to the neighboring village to watch Yangge dance.
The concert took audience on a wonderful music journey
The National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra also performed music from Chinese Ballet The Red Detachment of Women. Composer DU Mingxin was present as well. He and SHI Wanchun told the audience how they worked on a composition in those days.
Finally, pianist CHEN Sa performed The Beauty of Spring, a work by DU Mingxin. To show the audience the charms of the work at short range, composer DU Mingxin and pianist CHEN Sa had a dialogue on stage, describing how wistful, hopeful and optimistic the creative concepts of this work is. Furthermore, CHEN Sa demonstrated the aspiring and indomitable spiritual mood of the work with consummate performing skills and enthusiasm.
“Weekend Concert”is one of the NCPA’s featured brands for art popularization
Since it was held for the first time on January 13
th, 2008, the “Weekend Concert”, as NCPA’s featured brand for educational programme, has been held 500 times with classics performed. More than 60 art troupes and over 100 artists have been invited, where they’ve performed over 2,000 works by over 900 Chinese and foreign composers, showing audiences and classical music lovers the beauty of refined art in music.
Photos by WANG Xiaojing
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