Why did Kate Blanchett mention this Chinese conductor?, Global | Records | Kate Blanchett in the movie "Tall"
Recently, the movie "Tal" starring Kate Blanchett, the "Great Demon King," was screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival. In the film, Blanchett plays Lydia Tall, the first female lead conductor in the history of the fictional Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Many viewers have noticed that Tal has a line that even mentions a Chinese conductor - Yu Long, the music director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
Tal's assistant said, "... they don't understand why they can only make digital records, what the standards are, but I know they just made a set of records for Yu Long." Tal responded, "Of course they did, the Chinese market is amazing." Tal and his assistant were talking about the world-famous DG records, "Mendao" and "Song of the Earth", which were released globally for Yu Long and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Both records included Chinese works and also caused a global response.
Chinese musicians, Chinese works, and the Chinese classical music market are increasingly becoming an indispensable presence on the world stage. The international debut of Yu Long and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is not accidental. Holding hands with DG Records and international tours, hosting the Shanghai Summer Music Festival and the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition, each brand's departure is the bright voice of Chinese musicians on the international stage, attracting international attention from magazines such as Phonograph, BBC Music, and Financial Times to the East.
At the same time as "Tal" sparked a discussion, on the evening of June 18th, Yu Long led the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to perform the closing concert of the 2022-2023 music season at Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall. Before the performance, Yu Long said in an interview, "We are always talking about how Chinese culture goes out, how to go out, what kind of Chinese story to tell, and what kind of Chinese image to showcase, all of which are very important. We hope to showcase not only a few cultural symbols, but also the Chinese philosophy and thoughts presented in music. At the same time, we also need to follow and establish international standards in art production and band management in order to have a true dialogue with the world."
A perfect music season is an important reflection of the international standards of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. In the 2022-2023 music season, not only world-class musicians like Lang Lang will make appearances, but also new forces like the newly promoted viola chief of Berlin Philharmonic, Mediyan. In addition to heavyweight works such as Verdi's Requiem, there are also diverse tracks such as "The Story of the West Side" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra also left a deep impression on fans with original works such as "The Legend of the Great Sage" and "The Wheel of Time" commissioned by the committee.
At the closing concert on June 18th, Yu Long led the orchestra to perform Richard Wagner's "Siegfried Pastoral", the prelude and "Death of Love" from "Tristan and Isold", the overture to "Don Hauser", and Mozart's "Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major". This year marks the 210th anniversary of Wagner's birth and 140th anniversary of his death. Yu Long, who has studied abroad in Germany, has conducted in-depth research on Wagner's works and years of experience in interpretation have also made him proficient.
In the prelude to "Tristan and Isolde", Yu Long leads the orchestra to progress layer by layer, creating a roar of sound waves. "Death of Love" was performed by Song Yuanming, a double winner of the 44th Czech "Dvorak" International Vocal Competition and a soprano, along with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. It is full of emotions and full of momentum. Mozart's "Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major" was performed as a solo by the orchestra's principal and "post-95s" violinist Liu Ming. As Mozart's most well-known violin concerto, "Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major" has a beautiful melody and is full of youthful vitality. This young performer who rose to prominence at the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition is becoming increasingly mature through stage trials.
After the 2022-2023 music season closes, the Shanghai Summer Music Festival will open in early July. This year, many famous artists and groups will return to Shanghai after a three-year hiatus. In addition to the musicians of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Italian Musician Ensemble, renowned artists such as conductor David Stern, Vienna Philharmonic clarinet chief Daniel Otensamer, Berlin Philharmonic cellist Stephen Contes, and pianist Christopher Traxler will bring a rich and diverse range of works to Shanghai music fans.
