Amazing the whole venue... The Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival has come to a successful conclusion, as world guitar masters meet Chinese folk musicians crossing over | Guitar | China
When the theme song "Dreams on the Sea" of the Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival rings; When fifty guitars play "Friendly Shanghai" together; On the evening of July 25th, on the stage of the Shanghai Cultural Square, a unique "string moving Shanghai" guitar concert was held, marking the successful conclusion of the 2023 Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival.
It is understood that as one of the important activities of the Shanghai Citizen Culture Festival, the Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival has been held for four consecutive sessions, and its reputation and influence are constantly improving. The 5th Guitar Art Festival of this year is organized by the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Shanghai Theatre Academy, Minhang District Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Minhang District People's Government under the guidance of the Shanghai Musicians Association, Minhang District Committee Propaganda Department, Minhang District Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and Jiangchuan Road Sub district Office of Minhang District.
![Amazing the whole venue... The Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival has come to a successful conclusion, as world guitar masters meet Chinese folk musicians crossing over | Guitar | China](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/34a639c8245c3d7d1318784ba5c7c81f.jpeg)
Tonight's "String Shanghai" Guitar Concert is the concluding work of this year's Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival. The concert kicked off with a newly created theme song "Dreams on the Sea", featuring classical guitar as the main melody and incorporating elements of choir and dance. It fully embodies the urban spirit of Shanghai, which embraces all rivers, pursues excellence, is enlightened and wise, and is grand and humble.
Guitar master Jose Luis Merlin from Argentina played the classic guitar piece "Memories Suite", which combines multiple musical elements and has a distinct rhythm, expressing homesickness to the fullest.
![Amazing the whole venue... The Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival has come to a successful conclusion, as world guitar masters meet Chinese folk musicians crossing over | Guitar | China](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/4654f1e0461b83675bdcc71e196cd890.jpeg)
The first movement of "The History of Tango" was performed by classical guitarist Min Zhenqi and yangqin player Gui Haohao on the same stage. The two artists sang harmoniously on the qin and se, playing like flowing clouds and flowing water, enjoying themselves thoroughly.
What caught the attention of the concert was the cross-border collaboration between the erhu soloist Ms. Duan Aiyi and the "King of Guitar" Mr. Marco Tamayo. Firstly, there is a segment of "fulfilling the friendship of landlords", where the erhu is paired with Marco Tamayo to play the guitar masterpiece "Cavatina". Then, the two performers perform the classical guitar and erhu ensemble versions of "Butterfly Lovers" and "Horse Racing". The familiar melody and dialogue between Chinese and Western string music showcase the charm of music transcending time and space.
![Amazing the whole venue... The Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival has come to a successful conclusion, as world guitar masters meet Chinese folk musicians crossing over | Guitar | China](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/6ab4652e171dc8657c3d95c48e576be3.jpeg)
In addition to mixing and matching with erhu and yangqin, artists also attempted to use classical guitar to interpret traditional Chinese culture, showing everyone the infinite possibilities of music. Young guitarist Chen Xi used classical guitar techniques and expressiveness to perform the theme music of two Chinese films, "Love in My Life" and "Ambush on Ten Sides," perfectly presenting the unique charm and emotions of Chinese music, giving new life and vitality to traditional music.
Jerome Murphy from Belgium and Adam Levin from the United States collaborated with young actor Yao Yiyi from the Shanghai Pingtan Troupe to create a song called "Slow Voice". The graceful singing style, graceful qipao dancers, and deep guitar interpretation stunned the audience.
![Amazing the whole venue... The Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival has come to a successful conclusion, as world guitar masters meet Chinese folk musicians crossing over | Guitar | China](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/301984608de3177cfc307b435aa2703b.jpeg)
The finale of this concert is "Friendly Shanghai Guitar" specially created by Mr. Josep Enriks for this year's Guitar Art Festival. On site, Mr. Josep Enriks personally conducted and led the Minhang Youth Guitar Orchestra, consisting of 50 people, to perform together, fully expressing Shanghai's warm hospitality and showcasing the charm of inclusive coexistence and mutual learning of different cultures. Finally, the concert came to an end in a youthful and passionate chorus called "Love and Family".
It is reported that the 6-day art festival features 8 internationally renowned guitar masters and over 100 outstanding domestic guitar players participating in performances. During the event, professional venues such as Poly Shanghai City Theatre and Minhang Theatre held a total of 5 celebrity concerts and 3 themed concerts. In addition, performers also brought three down-to-earth citizen concerts to places such as Huanyue Plaza, Southern Shopping Center, and Kawakami Meiji.
![Amazing the whole venue... The Shanghai International Guitar Art Festival has come to a successful conclusion, as world guitar masters meet Chinese folk musicians crossing over | Guitar | China](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/31a4e3ad943419e6dfc67383a5fb4781.jpeg)
This year's Guitar Art Festival has also enhanced cultural exchange and interaction. Chinese and foreign musicians have entered the Xiang family courtyard and engaged in close dialogue with traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage; Entered the International Talent Reception Hall of the Zero Bay and interacted warmly with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs. The event uses guitar as a medium to help Chinese and foreign musicians better understand Shanghai, Minhang, and Jiangchuan, and convey the diverse cultural values of China.