Chinese New Year concert showcases musical traditions

The Central Conservatory of Music Chinese Orchestra staged the "Golden Bell Laureates" Chinese New Year Concert at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, on Feb 27.

Featuring soloists including erhu (two-stringed Chinese fiddle) player Yu Hongmei, suona (double-reed instrument) player Liu Wenwen and sheng (mouth-blown free reed instrument) player Wang Lei, the concert, under the baton of conductor Liu Sha, showcased the pinnacle of Chinese musical tradition.

The event began with Spring Festival Overture, instantly filling the venue with vibrant, celebratory melodies and setting an electrifying tone for the night.

Next, guzheng (Chinese zither) virtuoso Song Xinxin brought Ode to the Azure Sky to life with bright and refreshing guzheng tones, interwoven with the orchestra, evoking the vitality of spring and the flourishing of life.

One of the highlights was the performance of Hundreds of Birds Worshiping the Phoenix, played by Liu Wenwen. Her masterful use of sliding notes and circular breathing brought the depiction of birdsong to life, with the music bursting with joy and energy.

Sheng virtuoso Wang then brought regional flair to the performance with Jin Tune, drawing out the dramatic tension and multivoiced textures of the sheng.

The evening reached its emotional climax with Ink Plum, composed and played by Yu, a concerto for the erhu conveying the elegance and solitary strength of the plum blossom, symbolizing both resilience and grace.