Beijing Music Festival: a serenade of Chinese culture
(ECNS) -- Themed Masters and Celebrations, the 24th Beijing Music Festival presented an exquisite selection of the vast literature and cutting-edge visions of classical music from around the world.
Performances by modern vocalists and symphony orchestras resonated against those by past masters.
Led by conductor Yang Yang, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra’s performance brought the audience back to 1911, in commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the death of Gustav Mahler, a famous Austrian romantic composer, and the 110th anniversary of the birth of Ding Shande, a renowned Chinese pianist and composer.
Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, along with conductor Jing Huan and violinist Vera Tsu, presented the dialogue between Chen Qigang, an outstanding Chinese composer, and Camille Saint-Saens, a famous French equivalent.
At the closing ceremony of the festival, Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun performed his Double Concerto "Fire Ritual" with traditional Chinese instruments Erhu and Haegeum. By adopting minority music, ancient Nuo opera, and ritual music in southwestern provinces, Fire Ritual has reflected Chinese culture and Chinese aesthetics, Tan said.
“We should tell China’s story and spread Chinese culture to the world in a way Westerners can accept,” said Yu Long, president of BMF, “Symphony and opera is the best way to do that.”
Beijing Music Festival, dubbed “pearl of the stage arts crown”, is of great significance in China’s classic music market. As the first professional classic music festival, BMF has staged more than 50 operas in just two decades.
Beijing Music Festival wrapped up Sunday in the capital.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, which participated in the BMF for the 10th time, won its “Artist of the Year” award.