Xi Visits Russia: Artists from two countries hold joint rehearsal
Updated 09:22, 06-Jun-2019
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During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia, Xi and his counterpart, Vladimir Putin will attend a performance to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the two countries establishing diplomatic ties. Chinese and Russian artists alike have been busy rehearsing. CGTN's Wang Hui takes us behind the scenes.
Nearly 100 Chinese artists and 80 Russian artists are holding a joint rehearsal for Wednesday's performance. They are preparing eight programs, featuring traditional music and instruments from both countries.
ZHAO DONGSHENG, DEPUTY HEAD CHINA NATIONAL TRADITIONAL ORCHESTRA "We use classic traditional music of the two countries, then rearrange them, and recompose. We've also composed new music just for this performance."
Talented artists from the two countries will closely cooperate, in an innovative way.
ZHAO CONG, PIPA PLAYER CHINA NATIONAL TRADITIONAL ORCHESTRA "I'm playing Pipa, which is called the king of Chinese folk music. The Russian musicians will play balalaika. We play a duet. The music is a combination of two Chinese ones, but we have added a little Jazz style. I was really surprised that when we play together, it was extremely harmonious."
ALEXEI VRODLIVETS, BALALAIKA PLAYER OSIPOV BALALAIKA ORCHESTRA "I'm feeling fantastic because we have an incredible merge of timbres, with string instruments, and wind instruments. The musicians are incredibly talented. It's a pleasure to participate, and we are doing our best to be on par with them."
The performance is a critical item on President Xi's agenda while in Moscow. It highlights the cultural exchange between the two countries.
ALEXANDR NIKOLAICHUK, BALALAIKA PLAYER OSIPOV BALALAIKA ORCHESTRA "I feel excited, and it's a big honor for me, as I will play for the president of my country and Chinese president."
WANG HUI MOSCOW "The performance will be held in the world-renowned Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. About 800 works have been staged there, including some classic ones, like Swan Lake, and Nutcracker. Many inspirational artists have also brought their talents there, including the choreographer Yuri Grigorvich, and ballerina Svetlana Zakharova. Wang Hui, CGTN, Moscow, Russia."