Beijing Symphony Orchestra stages successful debut in Mexico

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Beijing Symphony Orchestra stages successful debut in Mexico

By Liang Xizhi, Mo Jinwei (Xinhua) 20:16, October 10, 2013

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The Beijing Symphony Orchestra opened its Americas tour this year with a performance at the Palacio de Bellas Artes here Wednesday night.

The orchestra, one of the most prestigious ensembles in the world, presented a musical feast combining Chinese contemporary classical music and Western works.

The concert opened with Chinese composer Fang Kejie's work "Dance Reba", in which Tibetan people sing and dance amid a continuous tinkling of bells and the robust sound of drums.

The performance of "Guess Tone," "Lan Huahua," and "Happiness with Sunshine," all traditional Chinese folk songs that reflect ordinary life, surprised many Mexican audiences unfamiliar with the oriental music.

The first part of the concert concluded with the violin piece Lotus' Overture by Guo Wenjing, a piece that expresses goodwill from China to London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Conductor Tan Lihua interpreted the piece with spirituality and poise, allowing the music to sweep unaffectedly but with precision and control. The musicians played with a sense of unity, making it difficult to believe it was in fact a combination of two orchestras.

In the second part of the concert, the orchestra played some famous Western works, including excerpts from the first and second suites of the ballet Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev.

Thunderous applause at the end of the concert encouraged the orchestra to play five more pieces, including famous Chinese songs such as "Jasmine" and "Golden Snake Dance."

Margarita Roel, a 30-year-old local, said she enjoyed the performance, especially the Chinese works.

"I waited anxiously for the oriental part and loved it. The orchestra was technically perfect and it was all that wonderful oriental remembrance that is extremely melodic. The Chinese musicians are playing great music," she said.

Member of Mexico's parliament Alberto Alonso also appreciated the concert and said such cultural exchanges were beneficial to Mexico.

"Very impressive. I believe that we receive this kind of event here in Mexico with open arms. I think this type of cultural exchange is very positive for our country."

The Beijing Symphony Orchestra will also participate in 41st Festival International Cervantino in the central Mexican city of Guanajuato.

Tan Lihua, music director and principal conductor of the orchestra, told Xinhua after the concert it was important for Chinese artists to walk out and face the mainstream audiences of other countries so they could understand the level of Chinese music better.

He hoped the orchestra would continue its outstanding performance and leave deep impressions and good memories with the Mexican audience.

"It is our honor to participate in such an important cultural festival in Latin America and even the entire world. As the first Chinese symphony orchestra to appear in the festival, we'll do our best to show Chinese music to the world," he said. E