Connecting ancient traditions to modern musical sensibilities

Under the baton of conductor Yan Huichang, the National Traditional Orchestra Academia China of the China Conservatory of Music will stage a concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on Nov 21.

Featuring a stellar lineup of artists, including renowned singer Gong Linna and pipa and huqin virtuoso Wang Kun, the orchestra will offer a musical experience that showcases both the depth of Chinese tradition and the boundless possibilities of its contemporary reinvention.

The first half of the program will feature three compositions that highlight different facets of China's rich musical history, each with a fresh, creative twist, including The General's Command, a dynamic reworking infused with new energy and vigor of a traditional piece by composer Peng Xiuwen, and Follow the Pagoda Tree to Trace the Roots of Our Ancestors by composer Zhao Jiping, which draws from the ancient traditions of Chinese music while searching for a connection to modern musical sensibilities.

The second half of the concert will shift focus to two distinct but equally compelling works. Song of Love, a stunning piece composed by Robert Zollitsch with lyrics by Song Dynasty (960-1279) poet Li Qingzhao, will be performed. This work, specifically composed for soprano and the Chinese orchestra, is divided into four movements that represent the four seasons. Singer Gong, known for her powerful and emotive voice, will perform the piece, showcasing the evocative power of Chinese poetry in a contemporary musical setting.

Ambush From All Sides, a powerful arrangement of a traditional piece by Liu Wenjin and Zhao Yongshan, brings new texture and depth to the classical work, reimagining it within the framework of a modern orchestral composition.

These works not only highlight the beauty of China's classical poetry and music but also emphasize the fusion of ancient and modern influences, continuing the Chinese musical dialogue between tradition and innovation.