Concerts celebrate Olympics

During the gala, the China National Traditional Orchestra and Suzhou Symphony Orchestra performed a fusion of classical symphonic and traditional music under the baton of Chen Xieyang.

The China National Traditional Orchestra's concert on Wednesday at the NCPA is part of the ongoing series of concerts launched by the venue to welcome the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. From Jan 7 to Tuesday, top Chinese artists and 10 Chinese performing art groups are playing works highlighting the Olympic spirit.

On Jan 7, China NCPA Orchestra and Central Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra performed together under the baton of Lyu Jia, with a music program that included Antonin Dvorak's Carnival Overture, Vivaldi's Winter from the composer's The Four Seasons and an adaptation of You and Me, the theme song for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which was originally performed by Chinese singer-songwriter Liu Huan and British singer Sarah Brightman.

The China National Symphony Orchestra and the China National Opera House Symphony Orchestra presented Beethoven's Symphony No 9 on Jan 15 and Sunday.

The Beijing Symphony Orchestra will welcome the Chinese New Year with Johann Strauss' Voices of Spring, and Dance of the Golden Snake, a classic piece for Chinese New Year, on Tuesday.