Heavenly music

The artist is perhaps best known for creating Fuwa, the mascot of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and the 12 animal zodiac stamps, which won him praises at home and overseas. From Feb 17 to 23, Han's artworks, including sculptures and works from his Tian Shu series, were on display at the NCPA.

"I am grateful that the series now has a new life through music. Music and ancient Chinese characters share a lot in common — both are abstract and the lines or rhythms flow smoothly. If my works are called scripts from heaven, I would like to call the music piece 'sound from heaven'," Han said after the concert on Feb 17, while sharing the stage with musicians of the NCPA Orchestra, conductor Lyu and composer Yao.

On Feb 18, the music piece was played again by the NCPA Orchestra and Lyu. Other music pieces were also included during the concerts on Feb 17 and 18, such as Reflet d'un temps disparu by composer Chen Qigang and featuring cellist Li-Wei Qin, and Symphony No 2 in D Major, Op 73 by Johannes Brahms.

After its premiere, Yuan Du will be performed during the NCPA Orchestra's 2023 five-city tour in China, which will visit Nanjing, Guangzhou and Changsha, among other Chinese cities starting from the end of March.