On the evening of Feb. 12, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO) is preparing a delightful Chinese work concert for music fans to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
Coinciding with the first full moon night in the Year of the Snake, this traditional festival trails the Chinese New Year closely in both timing and significance. The bright full moon symbolizes new beginnings and the onset of spring.
The program will showcase "Chinese Sights and Sounds," a suite composed of 24 pieces by Bao Yuankai in 1991. Bao, a recipient of the Golden Bell Award for music composition, has crafted an extensive repertoire encompassing symphonies, chamber music, cantatas, musicals, film scores, and children's songs.
For this distinctive Chinese-flavored piece, he has meticulously arranged a six-part suite that interweaves familiar folk melodies with Western symphonic elements, vividly portraying daily life across various regions of China.
Peng Jiapeng, artistic director of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra, will conduct the Feb. 12 concert.
The first segment draws inspiration from popular Hebei Province folk tunes, including "The Little Cowherd," "Little Cabbage," "Jasmine," "Dialog on Flowers," and "Flying Kites." The subsequent part highlights melodious Yunnan folk songs such as "Flowing Stream" and "Song of Wrangler."
The suite also incorporates folk melodies originating from Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, the lower Yangtze River region, and the Taihang Mountains area. Chinese audiences will recognize familiar tunes like "Lan Huahua," "Embroidering a Pouch," and "Going West."
The concert will be conducted by Peng Jiapeng, the artistic director of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra. The performance is expected to last 105 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
Time: 7:30 p.m., Feb. 12
Tickets: 80-380 yuan
Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District
Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children's Palace Station, Exit D