The Conservatori Liceu Foundation, in collaboration with Casa Asia and Zhong‐Xi‐Qiao Intercultural Association, presents a concert by the Traditional Chinese Music Ensemble of the Xi’an Conservatory.
The Ensemble is formed by outstanding performers, vocal and and instrumental teachers of Traditional Music from the Xi’an Conservatory, an institution founded in 1949 and currently a benchmark in musical training in the northwest of the country.
PROGRAM:
LIU WEIKANG
Spring comes to the Qingjiang River (Chun Dao Qingjiang)
Psaltery: Wang Jie
LIANG XIN
Folk Songs of the Countryside (Xiangge)
Bamboo flute: Gao Chunhua
Psaltery: Wang Jie
ANONYMOUS
Northern Shaanxi folk song: Driving the cattle (Gan Shengling)
Hubei folk song: Dragon boat melody (Longchuan Diao)
Soprano: Zhang Yaxi
ZHOU YUGUO
Rural charm (Xiang Yun)
Zheng: Li Yu
Psaltery: Wang Jie
HUANG YIJUN
The full moon and the flowers, for ensemble of traditional Chinese instruments
Psaltery: Wang Jie
Bamboo flute: Gao Chunhua
Zheng: Li Yu
PROGRAM NOTES:
Spring comes to the Qingjiang River by Liu Weikang.
This is a modern composition for psaltery that depicts the rebirth of life with the arrival of spring on the banks of the Qingjiang River. The work evokes a picturesque realm through various techniques and strong rhythmic contrasts.
Peasant Folk Songs by Liang Xin
It is inspired by the folk songs of northern Shaanxi and Guanzhong opera. It features a unique style and beautiful melodies with a strong emotional charge, conveying the composer’s nostalgia for his hometown.
Northern Shaanxi Folk Song: Driving the livestock
This is one of the most representative folk songs of the Shaanxi region in northern China. Its creative inspiration comes from an ancient form of trade among the people of this region: driving cattle, also known as ‘chasing feet’. With simple lyrics and vivid imagery, the song reflects the optimism and resilience of the herders in the face of harsh living conditions.
Hubei Folk Song: Dragon boat melody
This is a classic folk song from Lichuan City, Hubei Province, China. The song integrates local characteristics with the essence of Tujia culture. Using the metaphor of the dragon boat, it celebrates the harvest with a lively rhythm and lyrics that convey love for life and hope for the future.
Rural Charm by Zhou Yuguo
This work creates a deep connection with the homeland, and its delicate melodies capture a longing that transcends words.
Full Moon and Blooming Flowers by Huang Yijun
This composition reflects an optimistic mood and conveys a longing for a promising future. Its simple yet powerful and emotional melodies capture the essence of genuine emotions.
NOTES ON THE PERFORMERS:
The ensemble is formed by three instrumentalists specialized in traditional Chinese instruments and an ethnic music singer from the Xi’an Conservatory of Music (China). The repertoire they propose focuses on the Chinese national style, with an emphasis on the characteristics of Shaanxi’s musical culture. Through their performances, they aim to promote cultural understanding, strengthen ties through art, and contribute to cultural exchange and cooperation between China and other countries.
Wang Jie – Psaltery
She is associate professor of Psaltery in the Department of Traditional Chinese Instruments at the Xi’an Conservatory of Music and Master’s Degree supervisor. She is director of the Psaltery Committee of the Chinese Ethnic Orchestra and vice-chairman of the Psaltery Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Ethnic Orchestra Society.
Gao Chunhua – bamboo flute
He is associate professor of bamboo flute and Pan flute at Xi’an Conservatory of Music’s Traditional Chinese Instruments Department. He is also director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office of Xi’an Conservatory of Music, director of the International Pan Flute Academic Exchange Centre, vice-president of the Chinese Pan Flute Art Research Association, vice-president and general secretary of the Bamboo Flute Professional Committee of the Shaanxi Provincial Orchestra Society, vice-chairman of the Professional Committee of Flute and Bamboo Flute of the Beijing Instruments Society, assistant researcher of the Chinese Flute Culture Research Institute and artistic advisor of the Anhui Jianghuai Flute Culture Research Institute.
Zhang Yaxi – Soprano
She is a professor in the Vocal Department of the Xi’an Conservatory of Music and is currently studying a PhD in vocal performance at the Harbin Conservatory of Music. She won the first prize in the northwest region of the 6th National Chinese Vocal Music Competition of Higher Art Institutions Institutions’ and received the second prize in the national final. In 2019, she was invited by Gwangju City Opera (South Korea) to perform the role of A-Jin in the Chinese-Korean cooperative opera Looking for her husband cloud. She has also performed in several national operas, such as The marriage of little Erhei, The red guards of Honghu, The girl with white hair and Sister Jiang.
Li Yu – Zheng
She is associate professor of Zheng in the Department of Traditional Chinese Instruments at the Xi’an Conservatory of Music, Master’s Degree supervisor, director of the Qinzheng Orchestra and vice-president of the Shaanxi Qinzheng Society.