Hong Kong String Orchestra’s Central and Eastern European Tour: Infusing Chinese national colors and Hong Kong pop culture features into Eastern and Western repertoire

On the evening of November 18, local time, the Hong Kong String Orchestra held its finale concert at the Athenaeum Concert Hall in Bucharest, Romania, bringing a successful conclusion to the “Belt and Road” Central and Eastern Europe tour.

On the evening of November 18, local time, the Hong Kong String Orchestra’s “Belt and Road” Central and Eastern Europe tour held its finale concert at the Athenaeum Concert Hall in Bucharest, Romania.Picture/China News Service

It is reported that the four Central and Eastern European countries on this tour include Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania. The tour aims to use music to promote the “Silk Road Spirit”, spread excellent Chinese culture overseas, and tell Chinese stories well.

Romania was the last stop of this tour, and the Athenaeum Concert Hall was packed that night. The Hong Kong String Orchestra played songs such as “Variations on a Pastoral Theme” and “Echoes of Gu Jiahui’s Golden Melody”. The moving notes flowing from the strings were set against the murals inside the concert hall depicting important moments in the history of the Romanian nation, interweaving a picture of a combination of Chinese and Western scene.

Internationally renowned violinist Yao Jue performed as a soloist and led the Hong Kong String Orchestra to perform the famous Western song “Four Seasons”, bringing the musical atmosphere of the evening to a climax. When the orchestra played “Fangma Folk Song”, they would shout “yo ho” following the rhythm of the music. The Romanian audience was also infected by the warm atmosphere and couldn’t help but shout along with the orchestra, naturally integrating into the Chinese culture. A local audience member said that hearing repertoire with Chinese national characteristics and repertoire infused with Hong Kong pop culture features made him feel very fresh, and he wanted to go to China in person to learn more about Chinese culture.

Amid endless applause and cheers, the orchestra returned several times. As the fourth encore song “I Love You China” was played in the Athenaeum Concert Hall, the audience’s applause came like a wave. Everyone stood up and gave the orchestra the most enthusiastic cheers for this tour. A happy ending.

Chinese Ambassador to Romania Han Chunlin (middle) takes a photo with members of the Hong Kong String Orchestra.Picture/China News Service

Chinese Ambassador to Romania Han Chunlin, former Prime Minister of Romania Dencil and other guests attended the concert. After the concert, Han Chunlin came to the stage to lay flowers for the orchestra and expressed his gratitude to the Hong Kong String Orchestra for bringing a wonderful night of Chinese and Western music to the Romanian audience. As a “cultural ambassador”, the Hong Kong String Orchestra has come to undertake this tour on the 10th anniversary of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative to promote the “Silk Road Spirit”, spread the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and also let the Romanian audience appreciate it. The style of Chinese artists.

Looking back on the performance of this tour, the orchestra’s artistic director Yao Jue said: “On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong String Orchestra, I was able to lead the orchestra on this very meaningful tour and represent the country. I am proud to appear on the international stage and connect Chinese and Western cultures through music.” She hopes to continue to lead the orchestra as a “cultural messenger” in the future, use music to enhance communication between people, and contribute to the dissemination of excellent Chinese culture and promotion of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. .

(Source: China News Service/Editor: Yang Liu)