Veteran musician celebrates 55-year career

A grand concert celebrating veteran musician Zhang Weiliang's 55 years of artistic devotion, featuring the Gansu Song and Dance Theater National Orchestra and his students from across the nation, was held on Saturday in Lanzhou, Gansu province.

Zhang, a professor at the China Conservatory of Music, was joined by flutists and xiao (vertical flute) players from various conservatories across the country. The evening presented a high-caliber feast of Chinese folk music, reflecting more than half a century of Zhang's artistic journey while honoring tradition and embracing contemporary sensibilities.

The concert was conducted by young maestro Wang Guanren, resident conductor of the China National Traditional Orchestra, with the Gansu Song and Dance Theater National Orchestra as the ensemble. Founded in 1961, the orchestra is one of the most influential professional folk ensembles in western China, dedicated to preserving and developing the distinct musical heritage of Dunhuang.

The program showcased works representing different periods of Zhang's career, from Hua Qi (1990), inspired by Suzhou pingtan, to the springtime-themed Yong Chun (2005), and Dreamscape (2012), drawn from the Kunqu Opera.

From solo performances rich in traditional flavor to flute concertos with a full orchestra, the concert unfolded with layered textures and repeated musical climaxes. The performers' passion and technical mastery delivered a first-rate celebration of Chinese folk music for the audience.

Zhang is celebrated not only for his flute and xiao performances but also for his contributions to music education, composition, and research.

He studied under flute masters Zhao Songting and Feng Zicun, entered China's Central Conservatory of Music in 1977, and later dedicated himself to flute and xiao performances, teaching, and composition at the China Conservatory of Music, nurturing generations of talented musicians.

The evening concluded with Zhang leading his students in a performance of the flute classic New Song of the Shepherds, its melodies lingering in the hall.

Zhang continued the celebration with a masterclass on Sunday, sharing his artistic insights with fellow flute and xiao enthusiasts.