Shanghai Conservatory of Music launches a series of cultural exchange activities between China and France: a "two-way rush" for cultural exchanges
On May 10, the moving melody sounded in the "Mirror Hall" of Shanghai City Concert Living Room. Teachers and students of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and French artists presented piano solos, guzheng solos, female solos, string quartets, piano four-hands and other performances for the ongoing "River of Music - 2024 Shanghai Conservatory of Music Sino-French Cultural Exchange Series" "Activities" add to the diverse charm of Sino-French exchanges.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the China-France Cultural Tourism Year. Since February 9, Shangyin has planned a series of 2024 Sino-French cultural exchange activities, a total of 24 events. Among them, many activities are eye-catching: the famous French chamber music group Arode Quartet performs; China and France jointly produce the opera "Carmen" to commemorate its 150th anniversary; the "Sino-French Cultural Exchange" series of academic lectures by young scholars will also be held one after another . In addition, the Shanghai branch of the Orleans International Piano Competition in France will kick off on May 11-12.
Isabella Vasilota, artistic director of the Orleans International Piano Competition in France, said that 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and is also the 30th anniversary of the Orleans International Piano Competition. In her opinion, the competition is "a beautiful encounter" between Chinese and French cultures. "This competition has always maintained close ties with China. In the past three decades, many Chinese players have participated in the competition. I look forward to discovering more new works and piano talents at the competition in the future."
In addition, this year's competition also specially sets up the "Shanghai Conservatory of Music Composer Special Award", which will help promote the modern and contemporary music works of Chinese composers internationally.
Talking about the significance of the series of activities, Pei Xiaoqian, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shangyin, mentioned that President Xi Jinping emphasized during his just-concluded third state visit to France that "China and France are both cultural countries, and both sides must speed up people-to-people and cultural exchanges in a 'two-way rush' and continue to Organize various activities of the China-France Culture and Tourism Year well.”
In recent years, the cultural craze between China and France has continued to heat up. Jin Lei, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, said, "Shanghai, as an important bridge for friendly exchanges between China and France, will successively host a number of French cultural and artistic activities to bear witness to the friendship between the two countries."
"The River of Music - 2024 Shanghai Conservatory of Music Sino-French Cultural Exchange Series"
In the "Mirror Hall" of the Shanghai City Concert Living Room, Hao Duanduan, associate professor of the Piano Department of Shangyin University, performed the piano prelude "Moonlight Manting the Courtyard", which made the audience fall into a deep and beautiful dream. "The moon" is a common image in Chinese and French culture, representing the unknown and mystery. Both ancient poets and musicians have done enough homework on the "moon". Hao Duanduan said that he chose this Debussy piece because "'Moon' has an additional meaning in Debussy's heart, representing his longing for Far Eastern culture. Debussy's thoughts on Far Eastern culture "The dream" could not be realized in his time. But today, with the multiple cultural exchanges between China and France, Debussy's "dream" has truly become a reality. "
Li Lian, a master's student in the Department of Ethnic Music, is a 25-year-old girl of mixed Chinese and French descent. Li Lian, who grew up in a Chinese-French bilingual environment, was deeply impressed by the sound of the guzheng for the first time when she was 7 years old. Now she has moved from amateur studies to a professional path and came to Shangyin to study folk music. "Chinese national musical instruments and traditional music are full of charm and attraction for me. For example, the guzheng alone, the guzheng music from Zhejiang, Shaanxi, Henan, Shandong, and Chaozhou all have their own characteristics. These charming traditional music vocabulary are what I want to learn the most. Moreover, Shangyin teachers will also take me to various places to collect music, which is very valuable experience.”
Li Lian played the guzheng piece "Layers of Water". This piece is a modern guzheng piece created by Mr. Tao Yimo. It was premiered in Europe in 2013. It delicately depicts the trickling water, layers of ripples, surging and endless waves. Li Lian hopes, "Music is like water, one wave after another."
The river of music flows endlessly, symbolizing the long-standing friendship between China and France. Through a series of activities, Shanghai Conservatory of Music hopes to promote the multi-disciplinary linkage of "teaching, creation, performance and research", discover and cultivate top innovative artistic talents, expand Shanghai Conservatory of Music's overseas influence, cultural dissemination and international competitiveness, and bring China and France closer through the power of music. The distance of cultural exchanges promotes friendly cooperation between the two countries.
Liao Changyong, president of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, said: "Sino-French music and cultural exchanges have profound historical roots. Through in-depth exchanges and resonance, Chinese and French musicians will tighten the common bond of cultural exchanges and cooperation and build a community with a shared future for mankind."
