In 1986, the fledgling Shui Lan conducted the first professional orchestra that was the Central Orchestra (the predecessor of the China Symphony Orchestra). A thin conductor's baton turned into a flag. This national-level orchestra followed the growth of young people. The gestures continued and merged, and the sounds surged. Shui Lan has never forgotten the shock and temper of that time. In 1996, when Shui Lan was invited to collaborate again, the China Symphony Orchestra opened its first music season in accordance with the way most orchestras in the world divide their music seasons. Season; in 2024, the story of Shui Lan and the China Symphony Orchestra opens a new chapter. On July 27, he received the appointment letter from Zhou Yu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the China Symphony Orchestra. Starting from the 2024/25 concert season, Shui Lan will serve as the artistic director of the orchestra for a period of three years.
Shui Lan (left) received the appointment letter. Photographed by our reporter Fang Fei
In today’s international music scene, Shui Lan is one of the most influential Chinese conductors. He is famous for his extraordinary ability in building orchestras and his enthusiasm for promoting new works. He has directed many European orchestras. and Asian orchestras, of which the Singapore Symphony Orchestra is particularly famous. "In my impression, Guojiao is a very traditional and mature orchestra, but now I see many young faces." Shui Lan said. At the beginning of this year, he directed Guojiao to perform two Mahler works. "Guojiao is very 'flexible'. After a few days of training, it can create a very good sound, and sound is the basis for the development of an orchestra." This performance finally ended This has led to further cooperation between Shui Lan as the artistic director of the orchestra. Zhou Yu revealed that during the employment period, in addition to conducting multiple concerts, Shui Lan will also preside over the work of the art committee and use years of accumulated experience to plan for the production and development of Guodiao art. Provide professional guidance to further improve the business level of China Diplomatic Affairs.
The famous conductor Shui Lan. Photographed by our reporter Fang Fei
The State Council also released the performance schedule for the 2024/25 new music season. Among the artist lineup of the season, domestic and foreign conductors such as Shui Lan, Jing Huan, Tan Dun, Li Xincao, Wang Linlin, Hubert Sultana, Zhang Yi, Joseph Pons, Yin Jiongjie, David Hawes and other conductors will take the stage. Performers such as Ning Feng, Lu Wei, Wang Jian, Liu Wenwen, Wu Wei, Yu Xiang, Rainer Honeck, Qin Liwei, as well as Shi Yijie, Anna Denisova, Vladislav Kupriyanov, Singers such as Zhu Huiling and Guo Sen will have in-depth cooperation with the State Council; the 2024/25 music season coincides with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bruckner, the 160th anniversary of the birth of Richard Strauss, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ravel, Shostakovich On important occasions such as the 50th anniversary of Vicki's death, a number of commemorative concerts will be performed one after another, and the composer's representative works will be performed throughout the season; in terms of the creation and interpretation of Chinese works, two "Symphony of the Years and Peace in Peace" will tell the story of national diplomatic relations. "A concert of original works and "The Rising Sun of the East" composed by composer Li Bochan commissioned by several orchestras will provide a broad platform for Chinese works and young composers to display. At the end of this year, Luo Zhongrong, the leading composer of New China who once worked in the Central Orchestra, will celebrate his 100th birthday. For this reason, the orchestra has specially arranged a commemorative concert to pay tribute to the master.
Main visual image of the 2024/25 music season. China Symphony Orchestra/Photo provided by
The overseas tours of the State Council are also accelerating. In September 2024, the tour to five Latin American countries will present 11 performances in 25 days. In October, the State Council will tour multiple places in France to add luster to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. In addition, the State Council will also participate in the Abu Dhabi Arts Festival and the UAE tour, and the State Council Choir will go to Thailand and Australia in 2025 to sing Chinese and foreign classics such as "Yellow River Cantata" and "Carmina Burana".
During the French tour, the State Council will set up an examination center in Paris and organize the first overseas recruitment since the group was founded. Multiple chief positions are being filled for global talents. The addition of new faces and new blood will become the key to the 2024/25 new music season. Dazzling and bright, at this new starting point of connecting the past and the future, Shuilan, who shoulders the heavy responsibility, hopes to live up to his trust: "Guojiao has its own tradition, and I hope to continue its tradition. The new music season is also for me A learning process and doing things well every day is more important than setting a big goal.”
