""Flowers" was so popular at the time, why was it so popular? We started researching and found that the plot was subtly related to Hong Kong, and it also used many songs born in Hong Kong." Yao Jue, artistic director of the Hong Kong String Orchestra, then decided to turn the popular Play the golden songs from the TV series "Flowers" and make a skewer.
On the evening of October 28, the Hong Kong String Orchestra appeared at the "Art Sky" of the Shanghai International Arts Festival with the "Flowers of Golden Songs", reliving the popular hits of the 1990s on the bowstrings.
Hong Kong String Orchestra Flash Mob
That afternoon, a string quartet walked into the Hengfu Music Street in advance and held a music flash mob in front of the Blackstone Apartments, which has witnessed the century-old prosperity and evolution of Shanghai.
"Flowers" uses Wong Kar-wai's unique lens language to tell the story of "Shanghai's past" in the great era, and dozens of popular hits from the 1990s in the play are the "finishing touch". From the deeply rooted opening theme song to "Stealing the Heart" and "Looking Back Again"...the songs in the play ring through the ears through the hands of the four performers, and draw people back into the fiery plot.
In addition to "Flowers", the four performers also played "Gu Jiahui Golden Song Echo" emotionally. "Shanghai on the Bund", "Love in the Past", "Love in Thousands of Rivers and Mountains"... These popular songs composed by the "Godfather of the Hong Kong Philharmonic" Gu Jiahui have also evoked memories of countless people. A passing blond girl was affected by the atmosphere and couldn't help but dance, making people laugh and give her heartwarming applause.
"The response to "Flowers" was very enthusiastic in Hong Kong. Many friends came to me and asked me what Shanghai was like at that time, and I had to explain it to them sentence by sentence." Yao Jue, who was born in Shanghai, said with a smile. Wearing a cheongsam and high heels, Yao Jue collaborated with many Hong Kong singers in his early years, and also sang Jacky Cheung's songs. The electric shock with pop music also allowed her to find a breakthrough for classical music to reach the public.
Hong Kong String Orchestra Flash Mob
Yao Jue once studied at the High School Affiliated to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and grew up in the Hengfu Music District. "This area used to be a diving pool, where I learned to swim." Yao Jue said, pointing to the Shanghai Symphony Hall opposite the Blackstone Apartments.
At the age of 16, Yao Jue went to the United States to study, successively at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Juilliard School of Music. After graduation, she became active on the world stage as a soloist. After arriving in Hong Kong, she served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. It was this experience that gave her the idea of starting a band.
"More than ten years ago, there were only the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta in Hong Kong." Yao Jue said that a large number of music majors graduate from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts every year, and they all flock to these two orchestras, but the places are very limited. The vast majority of people can only make a living by teaching. "Standing on the stage to showcase their talents is their ideal destination."
In 2013, the Hong Kong String Orchestra was established with 11 founding members. The orchestra has two purposes: to provide a stage for local young musicians in Hong Kong; and to bring the joy and energy of music to every corner of Hong Kong.
Yao Jue discovered that the Hong Kong market does not lack good classical orchestras, and the Hong Kong string orchestra must find another way and make its own way. Adaptations of folk songs, pop songs, and even innovative expressions of traditional Chinese culture have become the artistic background of the orchestra. On the other hand, the orchestra has two concerts every year in cooperation with the orchestra, which not only improves the musicians' performance skills, but also accumulates more classical repertoire for the orchestra.
Hong Kong String Orchestra appears in the "Art Sky"
From October to December this year, the Hong Kong String Orchestra, entering its second decade, will embark on a mainland tour. Its musical footprints include Qingdao, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhongshan, Zhuhai and other 14 cities.
In addition to "Flowers Golden Songs" and "Echoes of Gu Jiahui's Golden Songs", the tour program also includes "Cantonese Opera Fantasia" commissioned by the orchestra from Yip Guohui, "Fang Ma Shan Song" and "Qing Ping Diao" that are immersed in traditional Chinese music culture, as well as The classical sounds of Western composers such as Vivaldi and Dag Veren.According to founder Yao Jue of
, this kind of track design fully demonstrates the characteristics and personality of the Hong Kong String Orchestra. "As a Hong Kong orchestra, we must fully demonstrate Hong Kong's diverse culture that combines Chinese and Western cultures, as well as its vibrant and innovative side." Yao Jue hopes that every time the orchestra performs, it can capture the hearts of the audience every minute and every second. It also allows people to see more colors of the band.
Shanghai is an important stop on the Hong Kong String Orchestra's tour map. "Shanghai is my home. It is very meaningful to take the orchestra I founded to participate in the Shanghai International Arts Festival." Over the years, Yao Jue has found that his hometown has changed a lot, the music atmosphere is also very strong, and many good projects have emerged. Entering Shanghai, she was often stirred up in her heart and came all the way from Hong Kong to listen to it.
"Hong Kong and Shanghai are closely connected. There should be more exchanges between the two cities. We also hope that the next generation of young artists will have close dialogue with each other and give full play to their talents." Yao Jue said.
Yao Jue (center) and the Hong Kong String Orchestra
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