Composer Ye Xiaogang brings Chinese magic to NYC

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs during a concert titled "China Story" in Chinese and "Songs of the Earth" in English held in the Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, the U.S., Sept. 23, 2013. Renowned Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang joined hands with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to present a rare musical gala featuring China's rich cultural tradition and vibrant modern life, in New York on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)

Famous Canadian singer Measha Brueggergosman performs with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra during a concert titled "China Story" in Chinese and "Songs of the Earth" in English held in the Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, the U.S., Sept. 23, 2013. Renowned Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang joined hands with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to present a rare musical gala featuring China's rich cultural tradition and vibrant modern life, in New York on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)

Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang has teamed up with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to present a musical gala. The event last Sunday showcased China's rich cultural traditions as well as the vibrancy of the country.

The concert, titled "China Story" in Chinese and "Songs of the Earth" in English, was staged at New York City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Among the three carefully-selected pieces, "The Last Paradise" and "The Song of the Earth" are making their premiere in the US.

"The Last Paradise" takes its inspiration from China's countryside and heavily features ethnic elements. The center piece "The Song of the Earth" is inspired by poems from the Tang Dynasty and reinterprets the classic Chinese poetry through a Western symphony.

The remaining "Twilight of the Himalayas" is a more recent piece and, together with the previous pieces, completes this symphonic sounds cape.

Ye Xiaogang, Composer, said, "My story is part of the Chinese story and today I've brought this story to the States. I hope that through music, a universal language, I can show the world the fascinating culture of modern China."

While taking the basic form of Western symphony, Ye's music also contains many typically Chinese influences, such as the use of Zheng, a traditional string instrument.

But that doesn't stop the American audience from appreciating its beauty. The two-hour show ended with most of the 2,000-strong audience rising to their feet for a standing ovation.

"My wife and I are from Detroit so we love the Detroit Symphony, we hope other people from Detroit can also enjoy this. It warms the soul."

According to the sponsors, this is the first time in decades that a leading American orchestra has devoted a concert to the works of a single composer from China.

And the man behind this epic show, Ye Xiaogang, has already established himself as one of the leading composers in China.

His work "Starry Sky" was performed by pianist Lang Lang at the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony, which was viewed by an estimated three billion people.