US radio program tunes into cultural wavelength

China Daily February/19/2024

In celebration of Lunar New Year, which fell on Feb 10, a series of classical programs by the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, has been aired on radio stations from Feb 8 throughout the United States.

The radio programs, a collaboration between the NCPA and Chicago's WFMT Radio Network, brought 18 Chinese and Western music pieces performed by Chinese musicians, including Spring Festival Overture by composer LI Huanzhi, Violin Concerto No. 1 by composer ZHAO Jiping, and Reflet D'un Temps Disparu by Qigang Chen.

Western works, such as Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 and Maurice Ravel's Bolero were presented to the listeners in the US.

Conductor LÜ Jia, who is the chief conductor and art director of the NCPA, and soloists, including violinist NING Feng, and French cellist Gautier Capucon and pipa player LI Jia, introduced the music through online programs.

REN Xiaolong, managing director of the China NCPA Orchestra, said the partnership with WFMT "let US listeners not only feel Chinese musicians’ unique interpretation of world classics, but also to be able to appreciate the rhythms of contemporary China and our own music style".

Estlin Usher, director at WFMT Radio Network, said: "We at the WFMT Radio Network are honored to present a second season of exceptional orchestral performances from China's NCPA."

"This season is especially meaningful to us," Usher said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency. "To deepen our relationship, we have integrated the four broadcasts into our year-round Orchestra Series, timed to air during the month of February to celebrate Chinese New Year."

GONG Jicheng, vice-president of the NCPA, said: "Music is a universal language and bridges cultures. On the occasion of Chinese New Year, we want to share our joy through music."

WFMT Radio Network's Orchestra Series is a well-established program broadcasting classical music performances from orchestras around the world. During Chinese New Year, the program aired performances by 22 art institutions from eight countries, including the NCPA, the London Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

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