China Conservatory Orchestra Australia Tour 2014

After a successful round of concert tours in 2013, the China Conservatory Orchestra (CCO) too to the stage once again in Australia’s Federation Concert Hall on Nov 23, 2014 closely followed by a second showing at Sydney Opera House on Nov 27.

Proudly led by laureate conductor Kuan Naichung, the China Conservatory Orchestra’s concert in Australia featured pieces from renowned Erhu soloist, Song Fei, who is titled the Queen of Chinese Folk Music. The Erhu is a traditional Chinese string instrument also known as the ‘Chinese violin’.  It was first invented during the Tang Dynasty and has been played for more than over two thousand years since then. The concert included appearances from award-winning musicians Song Fei and percussionist Wang Yidong. Their mastery of Chinese folk music brought China’s diverse and fascinating cultural heritage to Australian audiences in a spectacular showcase of classical Western and Eastern instruments.

Established in 1964,the CCO is known as one of the most professional folk music orchestras in China. Their performance style is very distinctive and takes its roots in traditional Chinese folk and opera music. Their solid grasp of traditional sensibilities allows them to blend the charming sounds of ancient China with more energising notes found in contemporary interpretations of Chinese folk music.

Chinese Folk Orchestra Concert

Experience the magical notes and supreme artistry of the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra (CBCO) led by internationally renowned Conductor Mr. Pang Kapang as they showcase a marvelous Chinese Folk Orchestra Concert for their premiere performance at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Thursday the 2nd of December.

The CBCO is performing a collection of audience favourites composed by Peng Xiuwen and Guo Wenjing alongside a unique piece commissioned to the ensemble by composer Tan Dun.

Founded in 1953, the CBCO is a top-tier, nationally recognised orchestra that boasts a long history of notable achievements. Having already toured in over seventy countries, this December will mark the Orchestra’s first tour to Australia as they prepare to deliver a phenomal eighty-nine pieced performance, including more than thirty traditional Chinese instruments.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Sydney audiences to witness the intriguing instruments and sounds of China that are not normally heard in Western music. The spectacular calibre of the CBCO’s talent is complemented by the brilliant venue of the Sydney Opera House,” says Robert Feng, Managing Director of Ausfeng.

“The talented CBCO is led by celebrated conductor, Pang Kapang, who took over artistic direction of the Orchestra in 1998. Under his lead, one can only expect the Chinese Folk Orchestra Concert to be an impressive evening of colourful entertainment,” continued Feng.

Working alongside renowned conductor and composer, Peng Xiuwen, the Orchestra developed its own framework based on a collection of bow and string instruments, plucked instruments, wind instruments and percussion instruments.

Over the last fifty years, the Orchestra has performed and recorded soundtracks for multiple movies, TV series, broadcasts, and music albums, many of which are widely celebrated throughout China’s music industry. The CBCO has also collaborated with distinguished artists and conductors such as Liu Mingyuan, Hu Haiquan, Zhang Lie, Jiang Kemei, and Zhang Shao among others.

In addition to his role as Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of the CBCO that he has undertaken since 1998, Pang Kapang is also an ward winning conductor who has been invited to work as a guest conductor for orchestras around the world. He has led tours in many countries including Thailand, Germany and Hong Kong.Kapang has also conducted the orchestra in two concerts at the Golden Hall in Vienna and Austria, and has even led the Orchestra in Geneva and the Assembly Hall of the United Nations.

The program for this year’s concert is as follows:

• A Wa Mountain Composed by Guo Wenjing

• Flowing Water Composed by Peng Xiuwen

• Terra-catta WarriorsComposed by Peng Xiuwen

  Interval

• The Northwest Suite  Composed by Tan Dun

• I. May Heaven Send the Rain

• II. Celebration at Wedding Chamber

• III. Thing of my lover

• IV. Hip Drums of Stone Blades

• Hua Bangzi (banhu & orchestra) Arranged by Liu Yuan

• Banhu Soloist: Jiang Kemei

• Dragon Dancing Composed by Xu Changjun

Duration: 120 minutes incl. 20 mins interval

Venue: Sydney Opera House Concert Hall 

Date: Thursday 2 December 2010

Time: 8:00pm

The People’s Liberation Army Song & Dance Ensemble in Concert

The internationally renowned Mr. Zhang Jigang (choreographer of the vibrant dance drama “Wild Zebra”) directed this brilliant performance featuring 60 artists from the People’s Liberation Army Song & Dance Ensemble of China who brought a colourful performance to the stage in the Concert Hall at Sydney Opera House on October 4, 2004. Popular songs and Chinese folk instruments were showcased in combination with modern theatrical elements and traditional folk dance throughout the performance, which included a stunning selection of contemporary Chinese numbers and classical favourites.

Presented by

Oz-sino Association for Advancement of Culture, Science & Technology

in association with

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Australia | The Consulate-General of People’s Republic of China in Sydney | The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

Produced by

Ausfeng Group Pty Ltd

Media Partners

Sing Tao Daily | Chinatown.com