In 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra performed in China for the first time, setting a precedent for an American symphony orchestra to perform in China. In the following fifty years, the Philadelphia Orchestra has toured major cities in China more than ten times, building a bridge

In 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra of the United States performed in China for the first time, setting a precedent for an American symphony orchestra to perform in China. In the following fifty years, the Philadelphia Orchestra has toured major cities in China more than ten times, building a bridge through music and forging a profound friendship between the two peoples.

On the evening of October 31st, under the leadership of the orchestra’s chief guest conductor Marlene Alsop, the fully assembled Philadelphia Orchestra returned to the stage of the National Center for the Performing Arts, once again embarking on a musical journey for the Chinese audience, and continuing to write a story of great progress between the two peoples. More than half a century of musical friendship.

opens the Beijing performance with a classic

Unlike the Philadelphia Orchestra's 50th anniversary visit to China last year, when some of its musician representatives went to Beijing to perform on the same stage with the China Symphony Orchestra and the National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra, this time, the orchestra appeared in its complete lineup. Following the baton call of Marlene Alsop, the overture to Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" was played first, with the strings beating briskly and the woodwind part bright. The subsequent Fantasy Overture of Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" created a deep and romantic atmosphere.

The second half of the concert opened with Dvořák's famous "Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"". This work is not only full of impassioned enterprising spirit, but also has folk dance melodies from the composer's hometown and poems written out of longing for his hometown. Melancholy and sentimentality. In the brilliant and gorgeous performance of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the entire concert hall was filled with majestic momentum, and the audience felt the majestic power conveyed by the music.

After the official program ended, the audience gave warm applause and cheers to the performances of the artists who came from afar. The orchestra then returned to perform Brahms' "Hungarian Dances No. 5", once again pushing the atmosphere to a new level. climax.

Composing music for Tang poetry is a good opportunity to promote Chinese culture

"The profound relationship between the Philadelphia Orchestra and China means that music can bring us mutual respect and understanding, so it can be a part of this exchange, I am deeply honored." Conductor Marlene Alsop said in an interview before the performance began that night. There are two musicians in this orchestra who have performed in China many times with the Philadelphia Orchestra. They are full of emotions about China and this performance.

Marlene Alsop revealed that the repertoire for this China tour has been carefully arranged. For the first performance on the evening of October 31st, the band specially prepared classic repertoire that everyone is good at. “These repertoires are well-known and deep. Our beloved repertoire is also our enduring classic repertoire.” On the evening of November 1st, the Philadelphia Orchestra will join hands with the famous pipa player Wu Man to present Chinese composer Zhao Jiping on the National Center for the Performing Arts 2024 Classic Classical Repertoire. 's "Pipa Concerto No. 2" and Mahler's "Symphony No. 1 in D major "Giant"" will also be performed. In addition, on the evening of November 2, the Philadelphia Orchestra will present the "Echoes of Tang Poetry" concert with singers from around the world, presenting the magnificence of Chinese culture from an international perspective.

“This is my first time to collaborate with a pipa player.” Talking about pipa player Wu Man and the “King of Folk Music” Pipa, Marlene Alsop said that she got acquainted with Wu Man because of her performance at Carnegie Hall , "her repertoire It is very elegant, and the beautiful melody produced by the pipa instrument itself also deeply moved me."

In the "Echoes of Tang Poetry" concert, the excerpts "About Drinking" and "Quiet Night Thoughts" will be sung again. "Spring River with Flowers and Moonlight Night" written by Mason Bates based on Tang poetry will also have its world premiere. Talking about her impression of Tang poetry, Marlene Alsop said, "Chinese Tang poetry is very beautiful and wonderful. The process of creating music is also a process of learning Chinese, which is very important for promoting Chinese culture and Chinese character culture. It’s a very good opportunity.”

Cooperation with young musicians is one of the important themes

Beijing is just one of the stops on the Philadelphia Orchestra's China tour. After that, the orchestra will also tour to Tianjin, Chengdu, Haikou and other places, and will also hold exchange activities in various places.Marlene Alsop revealed that the trip included many cultural and educational activities, an important part of which was the interaction with young musicians. For example, in Chengdu, she performed on the same stage with local young musicians. In other cities, we will also exchange performances with young musicians.

"An important part of cooperation with China is cooperation and joint performances with Chinese young musicians. This is also one of the themes of the Philadelphia Orchestra." Marlene Alsop said, " We hope that with every visit, whether large or small, we can work more closely with local young musicians to cultivate more new generations of musical talents for the future.”

in Malin Ayer. In Thorpe’s view, “The friendship between the Philadelphia Orchestra and China is the best kind, and it will continue to develop over time. Especially in today’s world, I believe the similarities between us will definitely If the differences are greater than the differences, mutual respect and understanding is the long-term solution."

photography/Niu Xiaobei

text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Tian Wanting

editor/Gong Lifang