Music crosses borders and cultures build bridges.
On the stage of the Kimmel Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia, the United States, the Philadelphia Orchestra played the last piece of music on the program for the New Year Concert - the Chinese folk music "Jasmine". The fresh and beautiful melody slowly flowed into the hearts of more than 2,000 spectators at the scene. The music style suddenly changed, and a string of energetic notes jumped into the ears - it was the team song of the Philadelphia Eagles! The audience's emotions were suddenly ignited. In this intoxicating night, musicians from both countries specially prepared this "surprise" for the audience.
On January 12, in Philadelphia, the United States, Yu Long (middle), music director and conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, conducted the 2024 Philadelphia Orchestra New Year Concert. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie E
html On the evening of January 12, two months after concluding its visit to China, the Philadelphia Orchestra invited Chinese conductor Yu Long to conduct a show for the American audience on the eve of the Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. A feast of art."Music has an incredible power that can establish connections between people and build bridges of communication." Ma Siyi, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from Xinhua News Agency.
"Just after President Xi Jinping expressed encouragement to Chinese and American artists, musicians from the two countries once again performed on the same stage. Classic works from the East and the West echoed each other. This became a new starting point for exchanges and cooperation between the two sides." China Philharmonic Orchestra, which conducted the concert and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra director and internationally renowned conductor Yu Long told reporters.
"Encouragement to all Chinese and American artists"
In September 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first American orchestra to visit China after the founding of New China, and was one of the icebreakers in cultural exchanges between China and the United States. In November 2023, the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform in China for the 13th time, continuing its musical friendship with the Chinese people that spans half a century.
On January 12, in Philadelphia, the United States, Chinese pianist Zhang Haochen (middle) performed at the 2024 Philadelphia Orchestra New Year Concert. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie E
"This is really a special trip to China." Ma Siyi said that what made him feel honored was that he received letters from the heads of state of China and the United States during his performance in Beijing last year. "This fully shows that The musicians and musical works of the Philadelphia Orchestra have built bridges between China and the United States over the past 50 years and have exerted a positive influence."
"Our generation has witnessed the development of Sino-US relations." Yu Long still vividly remembers the craze caused by the Philadelphia Orchestra's first visit to China half a century ago. "Over the past 50 years, cultural exchanges between China and the United States have continued to develop."
When the Philadelphia Orchestra visited China last year, President Xi Jinping emphasized in his reply to Ma Siyi that he hoped that the Philadelphia Orchestra would work with artists from all over the world, including China and the United States, to Adhere to equality, mutual learning, dialogue and tolerance among civilizations, intensify exchanges and cooperation, promote the prosperity of art, and add a new chapter to China-US people-to-people and cultural exchanges and the friendship between people of all countries.
"President Xi's reply is an encouragement to all Chinese and American artists." Yu Long said, hoping that through Chinese artists' performance in the United States, American audiences and the art world can more fully feel China's emphasis on strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. .
According to this person who has experienced cultural exchanges between China and the United States, the exchange and integration of art has brought people an important inspiration - "The world is like a huge symphony orchestra. Countries should appreciate each other and cooperate with each other like artists before they can play together." produce harmonious and beautiful music."
From "The Moon Reflects on Two Springs" to "Deep in the Night"
For half a century, Chinese and American artists have established and inherited friendship through artistic exchanges and dialogue between civilizations that share the same beauty and beauty.
50 years ago, when the Philadelphia Orchestra visited China for exchanges, the Philadelphia Orchestra shared the stage with Chinese artists. The repertoire included both the Western classic "Beethoven's Fifth Symphony" and the well-known "Moon Reflected on Two Springs" by the Chinese audience.
On January 12, in Philadelphia, the United States, Chinese performer Lu Yiwen (middle) performed at the 2024 Philadelphia Orchestra New Year Concert. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie E
"We spent almost two weeks in China at that time, and it became one of the most important experiences in my life. For 50 years, the unparalleled performance has served as a bond."said David Booth, violinist of the orchestra. That trip to China was Booth's first time abroad, and also his first contact with traditional Chinese music and musical instruments.
Today, more and more traditional Chinese music is appearing on the American stage The instrument brought Booth and the American audience closer to Eastern art across the ocean.
html On the evening of January 12, at the fourth New Year concert held by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the performance included the opera "Rasalka" arias and "Ode to the Moon" ", as well as the traditional Peking Opera tune "Deep in the Night" and the festive and lively "Spring Festival Overture".Shanghai Symphony Orchestra percussionist Fu Yifei played Chinese drums in "Dark in the Night" that night, and played Western drums in "Jasmine" Timpani. “Whether it’s a Chinese drum or a Western drum, you can find commonalities in the performance. ” she said.
Yu Long introduced that this Chinese and Western program was carefully planned by both parties. People-to-people exchanges help communication and understanding between different cultures. He is especially looking forward to using the Spring Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, to enhance the American The audience’s personal perception of Chinese humanistic concepts.
After cooperating with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Yu Long plans to go to the United States again from the end of February to the beginning of March to conduct the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. With his promotion, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra has The Chinese Lunar New Year Concert has been held since then, and now it has become a popular New Year cultural event in New York City.
Creating a new situation in cultural exchanges
Whether it is restoring letters to "old friends" in the United States or delivering speeches to friendly people in the United States, President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that the future of Sino-US relations lies with young people .
“I hope that the younger generation of China and the United States can inherit the friendship and jointly create a new situation of Sino-US cultural exchanges from a new starting point. "Yu Long said.
"We cherish the deep friendship with the Chinese people," Ma Siyi told reporters that the Philadelphia Orchestra will visit China again in November this year. "We are full of expectations for this." He said that the orchestra "will continue to work with Chinese musicians will engage in exchanges and cooperation, continue to strengthen ties with Chinese art and educational institutions, and welcome Chinese musicians to continue to perform on our stage."
In previous visits to China, the Philadelphia Orchestra has held many meetings with the Chinese Teenagers at the Children's Palace of the China Welfare Institute started to communicate. After hearing about the plan of "old friends" from the United States to visit China this year, Zheng Yunhua, director of the Children's Palace of the China Welfare Institute and director of the Little Friends Art Troupe, was full of expectations: "We welcome the Philadelphia Orchestra to come to China often, and we look forward to meeting them again. , once again played the movement of friendship together. "
On January 12, in Philadelphia, the United States, performers performed at the 2024 Philadelphia Orchestra New Year Concert. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie E
"Welcome to China! "On the occasion of New Year's Eve, the Utah-based American onevoice children's choir flew from Seattle to Shanghai. As soon as they arrived at the terminal, they felt the enthusiasm of Chinese friends.
From skyscrapers to the banks of the Huangpu River, the beautiful singing voices of American children once again Sing again: "Let us be musical friends!" "They made a stunning appearance in a short video to promote Shanghai's city image, and also sang to welcome the New Year with the Shanghai Primary School Chorus.
"Although it takes a long time to fly, I am very excited to perform in Shanghai! "After roaming around Shanghai and getting to know Shanghai, I want to sing here even more!" "I don't even want to leave China!" "The children excitedly expressed their love for this city.
"I like China very much! "Seanna, a member of the choir, told reporters that everyone she met in China was cordial and friendly. Her happiest experience was singing and chatting with her Chinese friends. "We have become friends and there is no barrier to communication."
Talk As for the greatest feeling of this friendship trip, Michelle Booth, artistic director of the choir, told reporters that she really looks forward to "more and more exchanges" like this. (Participating reporters: Sun Hao, Guo Jingdan, Yang Shujun, Sun Lei, Xie Han, Li Chunyu)
