Shanghai Int’l Arts Festival brings classical music to public

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The 19th Shanghai International Arts Festival opened with an original symphonic chorus called “Sailing”, from 25-year-old Chinese composer Gong Tianpeng on Friday.

The composition was an ode to the ongoing 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which is themed around Shanghai, the birthplace of the CPC.

However, it is not the first time that an original creation was selected as the opening program for the Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra performing Gong Tianpeng's composition /Photo via People's Daily

In 2015, the festival opened with a brand new musical titled “Jews in Shanghai”, which features the story of Jewish people seeking shelter in Shanghai during World War Two. Last year, the festival premiered with orchestral music titled “New Oriental Chinese Music Scene” which featured traditional Chinese instruments, in an effort to promote traditional arts.

An innovative Kunqu Opera dubbed “I, Hamlet”, which is a combination of Chinese traditional opera and William Shakespeare’s world-renowned play “Hamlet”, was also staged.

With all those different projects, the festival gradually evolved into a stage to showcase original artistic works from China as well as the world. In the past five years, there have been at least 50 original works staged at the festival, performed by 59 artists.

File photo of Chinese composer Gong Tianpeng /Photo via Eastday.com

During this year’s event, a total of nine original pieces by 12 young artists were selected for performances during the one-month event.

Music for the people

This year’s Shanghai International Arts Festival has also prepared a musical feast for the public, especially the musical enthusiasts.

On Thursday evening, an open concert was staged at the City Lawn Music Square, which was considered as the prelude of the arts festival. It twas designated as an “Art Space”, which is part of the festival, and in the coming days, there will be 94 performances from domestic and foreign artists for the public.

A concert staged as prelude of the Shanghai Int'l Arts Festival /Photo via The Paper

On October 29, a 12-hour special celebration will be held at the Shanghai Concert Hall and the City Lawn Music Square. During that period of time, different musical genres, including classical, jazz and ballads are expected to take to the stage.

This year’s “12-hours” will be dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven, to mark the 190th anniversary of his death, and a total of 10 violin sonatas will be played by 10 violinists. Chinese traditional music will also be part of the events.

Besides, the public will have a chance to be part of the events, instead of just sitting on the auditorium. There will be a flashmob performance, and the technologies of virtual reality will be used to bring a new experience for the concert-goers.

Public listen to concert at the City Lawn Music Square in Shanghai. /Photo via The Paper

The Shanghai International Arts Festival was initiated in 1999 by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the Shanghai government. It was a high-level artistic celebration aiming to promote cultural exchanges. In recent years, it has gradually become a calling card for Shanghai. Aside from the concerts and musical performances, there will also be various exhibitions and other cultural events.

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