The programme includes two of the best-known pieces by modern Chinese composers, two tragic and beautiful stories. Symphonic literature is a relatively young genre in the Chinese musical culture. Each composer is independently and in his own way treating the problem of integrating Western tradition into the Chinese folk material.
Wu Zuqiang is a musician of a dramatic fate. Losing mother as a child, he was brought up at a cathedral in the traditions of Taoist philosophy and culture. He lost sight at 35 (aquiring a second name, A-bing, i.e. «blind») and has played on streets, famous for his mastery of national instruments. His works are tragic, but also highly poetic and beautiful.
He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, graduates of the Shanghai conservatory, have based their piece on ancient traditional plots and melodies of Chinese folklore and opera. The complex relations between the heroes are reflected in the dialogue of the violin and the cello.
The programme also features suites from Bartok's ballets created during the composer's intensive search for his own style and marrying the ancient traditional folk material with the avant-garde innovations.
12.02.2009