Multicolored concerto of international musical relations
The Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the “Big Five” US orchestras, is returning in May for its 12th China tour, just at the 40th anniversary of Sino-US diplomatic relations.
It was the first American orchestra to perform in People’s Republic of China in 1973, as then US President Richard Nixon paid his historic visit.
The 12-day tour will see the orchestra perform in Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou and Nanjing, with a concluding concert at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.
The tour will also see the world premier of Chinese American composer Tan Dun’s vocal concerto “The Deer of Nine Colors,” among other pieces that are both musically beautiful and culturally significant for both countries.
“The Philadelphia Orchestra has enjoyed a special, warm connection with China since our historic first visit in 1973,” the orchestra’s President and CEO Matias Tarnopolsky said.
“It is a privilege to contribute another chapter to the storied relationship between our two countries. Yannick and the musicians of the orchestra remain unwavering in their commitment to sharing the transformative power of music abroad through powerful people-to-people exchange in concert halls, schools and centers of community.”
The orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Schubert’s Symphony in C major, Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with Zhang Haochen, Lu Qiming’s “Hong Qi Song,” and the world premiere of a Tan Dun vocal concerto “The Deer of Nine Colors” with soprano Lei Jia.
“The Deer of Nine Colors” is inspired by the paintings in Mogao Caves in west China’s Dunhuang City, an outpost of the ancient Silk Road.
It tells the story of a nine-colored deer who saved a merchant from drowning but asked him to keep the secret of its existence. The merchant was unable to keep his mouth shut, gave away the deer’s secret and was punished.
The story is one of the best known from the grottoes as it was adapted into an animated film in 1981, leaving a memory shared by various generations of the Chinese. Tan visited the grottoes 15 times over five years, and re-interpreted the Buddhist story through his composition of a unique vocal concerto.
Lei Jia is one of China’s top sopranos. She has been exploring different singing techniques to present the ancient story.
The Shanghai concert will end with Symphony No. 2 composed by Jean Sibelius in 1902.
Performance Info
Date: May 26, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-1,880 yuan
Tel: 6854-1234
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong New Area