The stage of the Xi'an Concert Hall in Shaanxi province stands eerily quiet, with both the resident orchestra and audiences absent due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Such performing arts venues have been dealt a major blow by the contagion. For example, it has forced the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the hall to large audiences, to cancel 15 concerts during the past three months.

The cancellations included three performances last month with pianist Martha Argerich from Argentina and one earlier this month with Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu and Chinese tenor Shi Yijie.

However, on March 18, Zhou Huyi, principal violinist of the orchestra, took to the stage at the concert hall for the first time since January.

At the largely empty venue, he rehearsed with other musicians from the orchestra for a livestreaming concert, which will air on Bilibili, one of the country's most popular online video sharing and entertainment platforms.

It was the first time that musicians from the orchestra had performed without a live audience.

Titled Bullet-screen Concert, the show focuses on three groups from the orchestra: XSO Black Face, a percussion band featuring marimba player Xu Xin and xylophone player Gao Ya; XSO Piano Duet, comprising violinist Zhou Huyi and pianist Li Tian; and XSO Monet String Quartet, featuring violinists Wu Siyue and Shi Yinyue, violist Zhuang Shen and cellist Li Yifan.

Zhou, who was born and raised in Xi'an and learned to play violin with his father, said: "We usually perform in the concert hall in front of audiences, who sit quietly and watch us play. They give us feedback with their applause and acclaim, and we reciprocate with our music. But a concert without a real audience is a fresh experience for me, which is exciting."

The 27-year-old graduated from the National University of Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in 2013 and furthered his studies at the Carl Maria von Weber University of Music in Dresden, Germany, in 2015, where he obtained his master's before joining the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra in 2018.

"For audiences (an online performance) is also a new way to enjoy classical music, which is usually considered a high and serious art form. They don't have to sit quietly and wear formal dress. They can eat, talk and share their ideas by posting comments while watching the performance, which is fun," Zhou said.

Cao Jiwen, branding director of the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra, said the idea of performing a livestreaming concert on Bilibili arose about a month ago when the orchestra's schedule was put on hold.

"We have built up a stable fan base since the orchestra was formed. With many concerts and public events being canceled or postponed due to the viral outbreak, people have told us that they are disappointed and they miss the orchestra's performances. They would love to see a concert, but understand the situation," Cao said.

"Although our musicians could not get together for rehearsals, they have had hours of individual practice at home. We wanted to give it a try by holding livestreaming concerts, which is a breakthrough for classical music."

Loyal following

Bilibili, which uses bullet screens in videos and livestreams, has a loyal following among young fans. As a result, the concert features performances not only of classical pieces by Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, but also those adapted from popular movies and animations.

Screens will be set up onstage for the musicians to read comments posted by viewers. "It's a different way to interact with audiences, especially young people," Cao said.

In January, the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra launched a series of programs on its Bilibili channel, with musicians sharing stories about classical music.

"We introduce the music in a simple and humorous way, and have attracted many young fans," Cao said, adding that the videos have been watched millions of times. Over the past three months, the number of the orchestra's fans on Bilibili has risen from just 200 to more than 12,000.

Founded in 2012, the orchestra has recruited musicians from around the country, mostly those younger than 30. To bring classical music closer to the public, it has been looking at different types of performance.

For example, the orchestra has held outdoor concerts at landmark sites in Xi'an, such as the Terracotta Warriors Museum and Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

It also trains amateur singers in Xi'an every weekend, with courses being held online as a result of the outbreak.

"We've seen many theaters and concert halls cancel their shows and even shut down because of the outbreak. It's affecting musicians worldwide," Cao said. "However, we have also found that many musicians have kept their music going, either playing their instruments at home or connecting with fans online."

The spread of COVID-19 is having a significant impact on large events, including cultural and classical music performances worldwide.

Major venues such as the Royal Opera House in London and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington have closed.

Pianist Yuja Wang, who canceled a European tour, said on her website on March 11: "I am sad to share with you that I need to cancel my remaining solo tour dates in Europe. Unfortunately, due to the current climate of uncertainty, and related logistical challenges, it is not possible for me to continue the tour."

Pianist Lang Lang's concert in Freiburg, Germany, on March 13, was also canceled due to the outbreak.

Home performers

One of the first Chinese orchestras to perform classical music on the internet was the Beijing Symphony Orchestra.

In a recording released on Feb 5, its musicians played English composer Edward Elgar's piece Salut d'Amour from their homes on the Chinese mainland and in Taiwan, under the baton of principal resident conductor Li Biao.

"It was the first time that our musicians had recorded a piece in this way," Li said. "We want to keep in touch with audiences through online performances, which seems to be the only possible way to share music right now."

Founded in 1977, the orchestra has canceled or postponed all its performances since January, including its opening concert for the 2020 season. The performance, scheduled for Feb 22 at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, was due to feature four guest performers from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, including violinist Alessandro Cappone.

In December, Li, who has had a successful career as a conductor and percussion soloist, was appointed chief conductor of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra.

He said:"Plans have been disrupted, but what we can do is engage our audiences with music as much as possible. Online performances may not be perfect in terms of the sound and visual effects, but they are a solution for both musicians and music lovers."

Li invited his longtime friend, German composer Enjott Schneider, to write a new piece, Wuhan 2020, to be premiered by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra at its first concert after the outbreak ends. Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, was the epicenter of the outbreak in China.

The 10-minute piece portrays emotions triggered by the virus, such as fear, depression, confidence and courage. It took Schneider just two days to complete.

Li said:"I've been friends with the composer for over 20 years. As musicians, we wanted to do something for people who are struggling with the virus. We discussed the theme of the piece together－he is a very productive composer."

Schneider said: "I dedicated the piece to the brave people of Wuhan, who have experienced much suffering. But they had the courage to fight and defeat the virus. My composition describes the danger of the virus, the determination and strategies. In the end, there is hope of building a better world."

He added that such a timeless and universal theme has been well portrayed by composers such as Beethoven.

Schneider has composed hundreds of film scores and has been president of the German Composers Association since 2013.

Katherine Chu, executive director of the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, which is based in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, said:"I think the virus has had a big impact on the classical music market. Classical music is an art form that requires sharing, but the electricity that a listener can get in the live concert hall simply cannot be reproduced at home, online, or in any digital format.

"There is nothing like a live experience in a concert hall. The energy, dynamism, dialogue and electricity between the performers and the audience are possible only in the concert hall.

"Online events are a great way to ensure that people still have access to music and for them to keep safe. But they can never be a substitute for the concert-going experience."

Suzhou'a second home'

During the outbreak, the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra has staged online concerts and lectures featuring topics related to various aspects of music.

Founded in 2016, the city's first professional symphony orchestra comprises more than 70 musicians with an average age of 30. They come from China and 18 other countries and regions, including Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Chu said the orchestra has postponed all its performances scheduled for February, March and April.

On March 21, its first online concert was staged at the orchestra's home, the Jinji Lake Concert Hall, featuring four Russian musicians－violinists Ekaterina Shapelnikov and Nikita Olinevich, violist Andrey Shapelnikov and cellist Daniil Zaitsev.

The performance included string quartets by Tchaikovsky and Dvorak.

"During the outbreak, the Russian musicians have stayed in Suzhou, which has become their second home," Chu said.

Olinevich, who has lived and worked in Suzhou for three years, said:"This was my first livestreaming concert, which was obviously different. But it's always interesting and encouraging to play in front of a live audience... there is a feeling of 'this is it', and you give it your all, including general rehearsals. Everything is supposed to be as it should be during an actual performance－the lights, the audience, the applause.

"These things are all beyond comparison. During this health crisis, we appreciate them even more. It is challenging, but exciting as well. In a very different way, we are trying to give audiences hope through our music, and show them that even if we can't play live for them right now, our hearts are still with the music, and we are committed to doing what we love and to our audiences.

"I believe music has the power to heal anything and help anyone, whatever the circumstances. It is one of the biggest forces on Earth, and knows no class or race, and makes no distinctions. It is for us all, and so we will play for everyone who is listening."

At the onset of the outbreak, Olinevich had to quarantine himself in Taiwan for 14 days before he could visit his family in Russia.

"Here in Suzhou, I was amazed by how quickly measures were taken to stop the virus spreading. But I definitely miss working－I can't wait to go back to rehearsals and for everything to return to normal," he said.

Since Feb 5, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, in addition to streaming concerts, has held online classes on its social media platforms. Footage shows the musicians practicing at home and teaching music to those learning to play an instrument.

On Jan 27, the orchestra, which celebrated its 140th anniversary last year, began livestreaming concerts, featuring individual musicians playing at home and chamber music ensembles performing in the concert hall while wearing face masks.

On March 14, an online concert performed by a string quartet from the orchestra attracted 900,000 viewers. The repertoire included Libertango by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla and String Quartets, Op. 54 by Haydn.

On March 26, five musicians from the orchestra performed an online concert marking Beethoven's 250th birthday, featuring works by the composer, including the first movement of his Fifth Violin Sonata and the fourth movement of his Eighth String Quartet.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn