Shanghai-style folk music is played in Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago: "Chinese music is full of imagination!"

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and China and Venezuela. Performers from the Shanghai National Orchestra traveled across half the globe to perform on the same stage with local musicians in Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela on June 20 and 23 local time, celebrating the friendship spanning half a century with music.

A concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was staged at the National Center for the Performing Arts of Trinidad and Tobago on the evening of June 20th local time. It was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts, and the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office.

The Shanghai National Orchestra, the Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Drum Orchestra and the Trinidad and Tobago National Symphony Orchestra performed together, playing Waltz for Alice, Tang Ke's Melody, Silk Road and Jasmine Flower, etc. The music cultures of the two countries collided and blended with each other. The Shanghai National Orchestra also performed Shanghai folk music works such as Jiangnan, Chu and Han, Bee Flying and Swords.

Concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Drum Orchestra specially rehearsed a steel drum ensemble adapted from the Chinese erhu work "Horse Racing". The passionate sound of steel drums merged with the sound of erhu player Ding Long, interpreting this famous Chinese song in a different way. Karim Brown, conductor of the Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Drum Orchestra, said: "It is great to listen to the performers of the Shanghai National Orchestra playing our Caribbean style in their own style. It is both intimate and creative, and I am deeply fascinated. In the Chinese repertoire, I feel the Chinese way of expression, just like the erhu can play beautiful music with two strings, full of imagination."

Roger G. Henry, conductor of the Trinidad and Tobago National Symphony Orchestra, said: "This is the first time we have worked with a Chinese folk orchestra. It was like an adventure. But as soon as the music started, everyone began to enjoy themselves. My worries disappeared. It was a beautiful experience. Every Chinese instrument is so charming. For example, the sheng, I have never seen such an instrument before. Its sound is so charming. We swayed in the music with the Chinese performers and enjoyed it in the music. It was very fascinating."

At the end of the performance, the 75 performers from the three orchestras played the song "Colorful Party" which ignited the scene. Yao Shenshen, conductor of the Shanghai National Orchestra, said: "Three orchestras and three conductors performed on stage at the same time. The audience clapped and swayed along with our music. This is an unforgettable memory in my conducting career. I look forward to more interactions and cooperation with many artists in the future."

During this trip, the Shanghai National Orchestra also gave wonderful performances at the reception jointly held by the Chinese Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago and the Trinidad and Tobago government to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago, and the award ceremony of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago Youth Visual Art Competition, which won a lot of applause. Yang Yang, a percussionist of the orchestra, gave a lesson to the children who were learning Chinese percussion at the local Chinese Culture Study Society. These children who love Chinese music had previously learned Chinese percussion through the Internet.

Concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago

In Venezuela: Shanghai folk music meets South American style

At 4:00 a.m. on June 22, local time, performers from the Shanghai National Orchestra, who had just finished their cultural trip to Trinidad and Tobago, rushed to Venezuela without stopping. They arrived at the venue at 14:00 that afternoon to rehearse with the Alma Yanera Orchestra.

The Yanela Orchestra is a national orchestra with strong local traditional characteristics. It is composed of 65 young people aged 14 to 22. It brings together traditional Venezuelan instruments such as harp, mandolin, alto mandolin, bandora, four-string guitar, guitar, double bass and maracas, etc., full of South American style.

It is worth mentioning that the Yanela Orchestra was established at the initiative of the Venezuelan National System of Youth Orchestras and Choruses. This "music aid system" aims to provide poor young people with the opportunity to receive music education and help them realize their musical dreams. This system not only gave birth to outstanding talents such as conductor Dudamel, but also nurtured one of the best orchestras in the world - the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra.

At the rehearsal, the Yanela Orchestra introduced the characteristic instruments of their band to the performers of the Shanghai National Orchestra. The performers of the Shanghai National Orchestra also introduced the flute, erhu, ruan, suona and other Chinese instruments one by one, and performed brilliant segments, which aroused cheers from the audience. The young artists of the two countries appreciated and learned from each other in a beautiful and joyful atmosphere.

Yao Shenshen conducts the Shanghai National Orchestra and the Yanela Orchestra rehearsing

On the evening of June 23rd local time, a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela was held at the Simon Bolivar Concert Hall in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. The concert was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela, the National Music System of Venezuela and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, and presented by the Shanghai National Orchestra and the Yanela Orchestra.

The young performers from the two orchestras presented a youthful look and style, demonstrating the vigor and vitality of the two countries' national music. With their superb skills and full enthusiasm, they brought a musical feast to the audience and injected new vitality into the cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela

In the first half, the Shanghai National Orchestra brought the audience a series of Shanghai folk music pieces full of Chinese charm and contemporary temperament. In the second half, the Yanela Orchestra presented a number of traditional and modern Venezuelan music works.

At the end of the concert, more than 80 performers from the two troupes, led by Eduardo Bogado and Yao Shenshen, respectively, presented "The Wanderer" composed by Venezuelan composer Eduardo Jiménez and "The Silk Road" by Chinese composer Jiang Ying. The two works showcased the unique charm of the music culture of China and Venezuela, and conveyed the deep friendship and good wishes of the two peoples through the fusion and dialogue of music.