Zheng Jian, artistic director of the Tianjin Song and Dance Theater, conducts at the December concert. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Forbidden City venue will stage a musical extravaganza in June as part of celebrations marking the Party's 100th anniversary, Chen Nan reports.
One stage, four pianos and eight pianists may, at first glance, seem a bit crowded. But there is still plenty of room for both talent and entertainment. The admittedly unusual arrangement will be seen at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on June 10 when eight young pianists perform together.
"It's exciting even to think of the concert with four hands playing on each piano on that night," says Wu Ying, a veteran pianist who is one of the organizers of the concert.
As one of the concerts marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the event will cover a wide repertoire, including such favorites as Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Marriage, based on a popular folk song of the same title written by suona (Chinese double-reed woodwind instrument) player Ren Tongxiang. It was rearranged by pianist Wang Jianzhong (1933-2016). Sing a Folk Song to the Party, which was first released in 1963 and written by Zhu Jian'er and Jiao Ping, will also be rearranged as a piano piece.
The symphony orchestra and singers from the Tianjin Song and Dance Theater, along with the Beijing Philharmonic Choir, perform
Dongfang Hong, a gala concert, at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing in December. [Photo provided to China Daily]
According to Wu, the eight young Chinese pianists will also perform as soloists, featuring pieces composed by Chinese musicians that have been inspired by folk culture from different regions. Pianist Gu Jingdan will play Pictures From Bashu, which was written by composer Huang Huwei (1932-2019) in 1958 and based on six folk songs from Sichuan province. Pianist Liu Yuntian will perform Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, originally a popular folk song from Guangdong province written by Lyu Wencheng (1898-1981) and rearranged by Chen Peixun (1922-2006) in 1975.
"All eight young Chinese pianists are award-winners and they studied piano in China and later pursued their studies abroad. Now, they are teaching at music schools in China," says Wu. "With their performances, audiences will not only get to know these musicians but can also enjoy music pieces with distinctive folk elements written by Chinese composers of different generations."
According to Xu Jian, the general manager of the Forbidden City Concert Hall, the series of concerts celebrating the 100th anniversary of the CPC was kicked off by conductor Zheng Jian, who led the all-male Beijing Master Choir to perform patriotic and folk songs at the venue on March 7. In the weeks after, audiences enjoyed a diversity of shows, including recitals, choirs and traditional music.
