Maestros, music lovers take on Chinese music challenge

Spring Festival Overture, a household tune about the Chinese New Year, started a wave of musical challenges online at the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit. Musicians and music lovers from around the world made their best effort to play this classic piece from the East, with instruments ranging from piano, cello, violin, guitar and drum to guzheng (Chinese zither), erhu (a two-stringed fiddle), flute, pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute) and sheng (a reed-pipe wind instrument).

The "Play with Me - Chinese Music Challenge" was held online from Jan 9 to Feb 5, launched by a one-minute demo of the Spring Festival Overture played by celebrated Chinese pianist Lang Lang, cultural ambassador of 2023 Happy Chinese New Year. In a video call to action, Lang Lang invited people around the globe to participate in the musical challenge in creative ways, with no limitation on instruments or performing forms. Lang Lang's version of Spring Festival Overture conveys the jubilant atmosphere of Spring Festival, bringing a festive mood to audiences.

The music challenge struck an instant chord with renowned musicians and international music lovers. They made their own covers in short videos and shared their Spring Festival wishes with friends via social media platforms.

Belgian pianist and composer Jean-Francois Maljean sent Chinese New Year greetings via his social media account. An active participant in China-Europe cultural exchanges over the past two decades, Maljean has composed a series of works related to China, such as Our Song - the theme song for the Belgian Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo, Chime of the Dawn Bells and Melody of the Orient. He has performed in many Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Changchun and Guizhou.