The China-Venezuela Youth Symphony Concert was held at the Future Theatre of China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People in Beijing on the night of June 20.
During the concert, Venezuelan Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of Soong Ching Ling Peace Angel Art Troupe jointly presented their passionate shows to the audience, showcasing the artistic talent of artists and young performers from the two countries and opening a cross-cultural dialogue of music.
In the first half part of the concert, under the baton of Christian Vasquez from Venezuela, Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra gave their shows of renowned symphonic pieces in South American countries like Margaritena and Sensemayá, demonstrating the youthfulness, dynamism and versatility of its performers. Directed by Chinese conduct Liu Zheng, the Venezuelan symphony orchestra performed the Movement Fourth of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.4 in F Minor with stirring melodies and profound emotions, winning the full attention of the audience and helping them grasp a deep understanding of the charm of symphony.
In the second half of the concert, under the baton of Chinese conduct Liu, the Symphony Orchestra of Soong Ching Ling Peace Angel Art Troupe and Venezuelan Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra jointly presented a show of the Spring Festival Overture, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience for its lively rhythm and rich ethnic flavors. The play of the first suite of Swan Lake brought the audience to dreamy and fairy world. The performance of Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity revealed the vastness of the universe and the happiness of life through its grandeur and rich emotion. The Symphony No. 9, Movement I of Dvořák was played at the end of the concert to underscore the robust strength and profound meaning with its free-spirited melodies.
The concert met warm response from the audience, who said that it was a memorable musical experience and that it had provided them with valuable opportunities to enjoy such a high-level performance and understand the importance of cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Young performers of the two countries have used music to build a bridge of communication, convey the message of peace and friendship, and demonstrate the vitality as well as enthusiasm of youths from the two nations.
"Although it is the first time for us to engage in cooperation, yet we are a good team and work together very closely. It takes us only one day of rehearsal to present such an outstanding performance. It is an amazing Chinese tour," said Maria Jorheba, principal cellist of Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra, at an interview.
"During our rehearsal, the Venezuelan musician has not only helped me make adjustments of my fingering techniques but also shared with me about his special understanding of music. Music is a common pursuit of mankind, though they speak in different languages. I am very glad to have such an opportunity to hold talks with foreign artists and work together with them at the stage," said Liu Jinghao, the first violinist of the Future Theatre of China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People.
On the sidelines of their rehearsal, over 100 young Venezuelan musicians attended an experience activity of traditional Chinese culture, which ranged from ceramics to embroidery, woodblock printing and Peking Opera, to grasp a full understanding of the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture.
The concert received lots of attention and support from people from all social sectors. Those in attendance of the performance included Venezuelan Ambassador to China Giuseppe Yoffreda, Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva, and officials from China's central authorities as well as China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.
