A celebration of Dvorak's masterpieces
Cellist Wang Jian and conductor Zhang Guoyong of the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra take part in a rehearsal.
Renowned Chinese cellist Wang Jian and the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra conducted by Zhang Guoyong will jointly present a concert at the Shanghai Grand Theater on Saturday.
The program consists of Antonin Dvorak’s (1841-1904) three most influential works — Carnival Overture, Cello Concerto in B minor and Symphony No. 9 in E minor, or "From the New World." All were created by the Czech composer when he was teaching in America.
The highlight of the concert is the first collaboration between Wang and the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra. They will perform Cello Concerto in B minor together, one of the most frequently performed of all cello concerti. The work is admired for the richness of its orchestral music and for the lyrical writing for the solo instrument.
Written in 1894 and 1895 in New York, the concerto reflects Dvorak’s American experiences and nostalgia for the past and his hometown Bohemia.
“Knowing that his sister-in-law passed away, Dvorak recomposed the final movement, shifting from vivacious tone to sad mood. He insisted that no one was allowed to change his score,” said Wang.
“Parting is one of the most emotional things in our lives. It warns us about the passing of time. I suppose Dvorak had the same feeling when he composed the work.”
Starting to learn the cello at the age of 4, Wang entered the Yale School of Music and studied with the renowned cellist Aldo Parisot in 1985. He then entered the Juilliard School with full scholarship. The cellist has performed in more than 30 countries and regions.
“Playing the cello is a lonely thing. I have to enter my own world while playing the musical instrument. The solitude allows me to feel emotions,” said Wang.
Established in 1956, the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra has worked with an array of prominent musicians varying from conductors like Lorin Maazel and Neeme Jarvi to singers such as Marco Berti and He Hui.
Performance info
Date: May 11, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-380 yuan
Tel: 6386 8686
Venue: Shanghai Grand Theater
Address: 300 People’s Ave
