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Chinese Music Brings Sensation to Midwest Americans
"Chinese music is haunting." said Cathylin, an English teacher in St. Louis after watching a Chinese traditional concert on September 3 evening.
The concert, part of the Chinese Culture Exchange tour in the United States, was presented by the China National Traditional Orchestra at the Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis, Missouri.
"It's marvelous," said St. Louis Mayor Harmond. Before the concert started, he delivered a passionate speech, announcing "September 3, 2000 is the Chinese national music day of the city of
St. Louis." "We will feel the power of serenity and beauty of the nature embodied in Chinese music," added Harmond.
He was proud that for the first time an African-American cultural organization took the lead in holding a Chinese concert in the United States.
Besides St. Louis, the China National Traditional Orchestra presented concerts in three other Midwest cities: Des Moines, Iowa; Chicago, Illinois; and Indianapolis, Indiana. Local audience were thrilled at the Chinese concert brought to them.
"I got the news from The St. Louis Post and then bought two tickets. I drove here from Springfield, Illinois, 100 miles away." Cathy Darak said, her eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's so wonderful, and the music is so beautiful."
Mrs. Darak had heard Butterfly lovers before, but never heard such a grand concerto. She said she "can't help standing up and yelling when her heart was touched by the music."
"I love Chinese music, it's so different and the instruments are so unique." said Mr. Darak, her husband, who expressed his joy with "Xie Xie" (thanks).
In Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa, Chinese musicians also won lasting applause from the audience, 90 percent of which are local Americans.
Danis Wendell, an associate professor of Iowa State University and a Chinese culture lover, drove 40 minutes from Ames, Iowa, to Des Moines on August 29 to watch the Chinese concert.
"I was moved to tears when I heard so many beautiful and familiar musical pieces, and especially when I heard the Chinese musicians play 'America the beautiful' with their traditional musical instruments. They played even better than Americans," said Wendell.
Harry Poffenbarger, a retired computer engineer in Chicago said he had been looking forward to the Chinese musicians since he got news from a local newspaper that a Chinese Concert would be presented in Chicago on August 31.
"The concert was excellent, and I like the erhu soloist the best." said Poffenbarger, who became interested in Chinese music after he listened to a program on Chinese music at Northwestern University 20 years ago.
"I was glad to see Chinese music can be accepted by so many Americans. It means that Chinese musical instruments are expressive." said Chen Xieyang, conductor of the orchestra before leaving for New York, where he and his orchestra will present two concerts on Thursday and Friday.
The orchestra will conclude their U.S. tour in San Francisco on September 10 and then leave for China.
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