On January 12^th, ZHAO Cong, an eminent Chinese pipa artist, will join hands with balalaika artist Nikolaichuk Aleksandr and Tchaikovsky Conservatory Symphony Orchestra to present a New Year’s concert. Entitled “Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits”, the concert covers both Chinese and Russian musical compositions and will kick off a series of concerts for offering “New Year’s blessings”.


“Music is a language that knows no borders.” In 2019, the “Grand Celebration and Theatrical Performance for the 70^th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Russia” was held ceremoniously at the Bolshoi Theatre. The pipa artist ZHAO Cong and Russian balalaika artist Nikolaichuk Aleksandr played Blossoming Melodies from Shanghai together, exciting the entire audience. The pipa and the balalaika, two types of musical instruments from different countries, are of the same origin and compatible with each other in nature. ZHAO Cong and Nikolaichuk gave a virtuoso performance. Thus began a cross-border cultural exchange.

At the upcoming concert, the famous pipa artist ZHAO Cong will once again work with the Russian balalaika artist Nikolaichuk Aleksandr to interpret Blossoming Melodies from Shanghai.


In addition to Blossoming Melodies from Shanghai, the concert will also feature ZHAO Cong’s three large-scale pipa concertos that she composed over a period of ten years, including Flying Apsaras of the Silk Road, Resounding Music of the East, and Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits. Each of these four works represents the musical features of a certain region in China. ZHAO Cong will, in a unique fashion, show the audience around everywhere around China.

Additionally, the concert will echo with the sounds of well-chosen musical pieces by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Aram Khachaturian, including music from ballets The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, Masquerade Suite, Vocalise..These classics, which represent the beauty of the colourful Russian musical culture, will usher in New Year’s blessings to the audience and beyond.