Harmony in strings: Music unites Beijing, Hong Kong Students

The weeklong Xin Tsing Friends' Beijing-Hong Kong Students Tsinghua Summer Music Camp will culminate with a concert featuring a string ensemble led by internationally renowned violinist Lyu Siqing. From August 13 to 19, nearly 30 young musicians from Beijing and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) gathered at Tsinghua University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where they immersed themselves in music, fostering cultural exchange and friendship. During the concert, the conductorless ensemble will perform iconic works, such as "Butterfly Lovers Concerto" and Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," celebrating the beauty of collaboration and the transcendent power of music.

In an interview with CGTN, Lyu Siqing, who has performed "Butterfly Lovers Concerto" in more than 20 countries and presides over the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, expressed his admiration for the students' artistry. He highlighted how "Butterfly Lovers Concerto" exemplifies the fusion of Chinese traditional melodies and Western orchestral composition, likening the work to a Chinese "Romeo and Juliet." Lyu praised the young participants' passion and discipline, emphasizing the universal nature of music as a language without borders. "Music is magical," he noted. "It connects people across cultures and emotions, fostering a shared understanding of beauty and love."

Wallace Lee, the music camp's organizer and Tsinghua University's first concertmaster from the Hong Kong SAR, shared his insights in a separate interview with CGTN. A Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University and founder of the Xin Tsing Friends music initiative, Lee reflected on how music has created bonds and promoted mutual understanding between students. He remarked that the conductorless chamber orchestra allowed participants to communicate and collaborate intuitively. "This camp shows how music can transcend cultural barriers and create a platform for dialogue and friendship between people who might otherwise never have crossed paths," he said.

As the concert at the end of the camp draws near, the young musicians prepare to showcase the harmonious blend of talent, passion and collaboration forged over the past week. Much like the pieces they will perform, the music camp demonstrates how art and culture can bridge divides, nurturing friendships that transcend borders.