Detroit musicians conclude China visit

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra concluded its first tour to China on Saturday, where it presented a new arrangement of Dream of the Red Chamber in five Chinese cities, including Suzhou, Changsha and Shanghai.

This was the premiere of Dream of the Red Chamber: a Caprice for Cello in China. The piece is based on the music by Wang Liping for the TV series A Dream of the Red Mansions in the 1980s.

Chinese cellist Trey Lee worked with Hong Kong-based Chinese composer Alfred Wong to create a new arrangement for the music.

Lee flew to Detroit to rehearse with the DSO before embarking on the tour to China, says Anne Parsons, the president and CEO of DSO.

The arrangement was an unusual choice for DSO, as the orchestra did not know about the piece until it was recommended by the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, a member of the Poly Theater Group, which presented the orchestra's China tour.

Yet, this was not the first time DSO premiered Chinese music.

In 2013, DSO played a concert titled Songs of the Earth, featuring Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang's Twilight of the Himalayas in New York.

"We always try to play something from the country we go to," says Parsons. "We think this is what music does: It brings people together and creates relationships."

An orchestra with 130 years of history, DSO wants to be "open and transparent" and "inviting and welcoming".

To achieve that, the orchestra has opened its live performances through free webcast.

Also, with a $50 fee a year, you can join the DSO family and watch replays, says Parsons.

Since the launch of the Live from Orchestra Hall in 2011, DSO's webcasts have reached audiences in more than 100 countries.

Although Parsons did not give the number of paid members, she says: "We had 36,000 viewers for one concert before we left Detroit for this tour."

Chinese violinist Wu Haixin joined the orchestra in 1995.

The musician from Nanjing, Jiangsu province, says he is proud of the orchestra's rich history and professional atmosphere.

Having been active in international exchanges, Wu sees himself a "bridge between China and the United States".

He says it would help young students if they did short internships or training at professional orchestras such as DSO, so they could experience the cultural heritage and atmosphere, the fast-paced professional schedule and how an orchestra creates its distinctive sound.

Yu Wei, the principal cellist with DSO, joined the company in 2015.

Having worked with New York Philharmonic for seven years, he says: "I am glad I did both."

The young musician from Shanghai was proud to play in his hometown, and can't wait to bring Detroit and Shanghai closer.

"DSO is a great orchestra, and deserves to be heard more."

zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn