(W. E. Talk) The Philadelphia Orchestra: How music 'breaks the ice' and 'builds bridges' between China and the U.S.

By Xiao Xin & Li Jiayin 

(CNS) -- In September 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra visited China for performances, becoming the first American orchestra to do so after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. This visit marks a cultural “ice-breaking journey” between the two countries. Over the past 52 years, the orchestra has made more than ten visits to China, continuously contributing to the dialogue of music and friendship between China and the United States. This year, the Philadelphia Orchestra was honored with the Second Orchid Awards for Outstanding Achievement Award.

Music is a universal language. In each and every performance, cultural exchanges break through barriers, and connections between people continue to grow. Recently, in an exclusive interview with China News Service’s “W. E. Talk”, the orchestra talked about how musical dialogue serves as an ice breaker in China-U.S. relations, and builds bridges of friendship between the two peoples.

Here are the excerpts of the interview:

CNS: How was the cultural “ice-breaking journey” in 1973 realized? What significance does that trip to China hold in the history of the orchestra?

Philadelphia Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra’s visit to China in 1973 was an improbable journey, and one that is written into international musical history. Enthusiasm for the visit was generated by the Orchestra’s legendary former music director, Eugene Ormandy, and formed the basis of what would become an enduring relationship across decades and eras between the Orchestra and the people of China.

CNS: The Philadelphia Orchestra has performed in China many times. Why do cultural and artistic exchanges need to be frequent?

Philadelphia Orchestra: Music is a dialogue. It is not static, but rather an ongoing, living conversation. It can transcend the barriers of spoken language and bring people together in unique ways.

While audiences in different parts of the world may differ in their experience with a particular kind of music, musical audiences share one singular quality: their love of music, and therefore the shared experience of sitting in a concert hall together—it’s as simple as that.

CNS: When the orchestra first came to China for performance in 1973, the artists left the theater and went to the streets for a flash mob show. In the last two performances in China, you have left Beijing and visited cities such as Chengdu, Haikou, Shanghai and Hangzhou, featuring local tunes like Chengdu, Wanquan River Runs Clear and Peking Fantasy. Why was such an arrangement made?

Philadelphia Orchestra: Music itself, and the way audiences experience music, has evolved, and this is crucial to the future of the art form.

The Philadelphia Orchestra believes that supporting and fueling this evolution is an essential part of our mission, from the frequent commissioning of new music to joyful events like the “surprise” performance.

CNS: The Philadelphia Orchestra has composed music for Tang poetry and performed with the pipa soloists in recent years. How should we understand such creations from the perspective of dialogue between Chinese and Western music?

Philadelphia Orchestra: We live in a global society, and one where art forms and aesthetics can interact with each other, quickly and easily, in the most positive way. The joining of Chinese poetry and Western music was a beautiful way to explore artistic cooperation.

Artistic possibilities like this also need trust and understanding, and The Philadelphia Orchestra was able to accomplish the commission, in part, because of its longstanding relationship with the people of China.

CNS: In today’s ever-changing world, communication and understanding sometimes seem to be increasingly lacking. Under such circumstances, how can music continue to play a role in building communication bridges and enhancing people’s mutual understanding? 

Philadelphia Orchestra: Particularly at complicated times, music can open pathways to communication between people by extending a hand in friendship and creating an embracing atmosphere. We will continue to do this with respect to our historic relationship, and with an eye toward a positive future for the world.