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Concert series offers fresh take on classics
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THE Shanghai Concert Hall is rolling out a new performance series next month called “Music Infinity” to showcase new productions of classical music and dance.
The series, which will run from March 4 to 25, will include a concert of Peking Opera music, bold reimaginings of Chopin masterpieces and a ballet performance accompanied by cello.
“There has been a trend toward concerts that break from established forms and incorporate innovative mixed-media. The program for this series includes cross-over works of various types, as well new takes on existing classics. We will continue to encourage experimentation from artists and help them bring their ideas to the stage,” says An Dong, the concert hall’s executive music director.
Innovative Peking Opera
The first show will focus on the music of Peking Opera classic “Zhe Gui Ling.” In most Peking Opera performances, the actors are the real stars, while the accompanying music is often seen as secondary.
This new concert though will move the instruments and their performers to the center stage.
Meanwhile, a cast of Peking Opera stars will play a supporting role with occasional vocal interludes.
The concert is produced by famed Shanghai-based Peking Opera star Wang Peiyu, with help from composer Lin Yuan and sanxian (three-stringed Chinese guitar) player Zhou Yi.
The show took almost a year to perfect as Wang and her peers struggled to find the right balance between innovation and tradition.
Nevertheless, Wang admits that some Peking Opera purists might take issue with the unconventional focus.
“Peking Opera is a very mature art form with lots of ready rules and principles. We’re ready to face pressure from public opinion for breaking some of the traditions,” says Wang. “But we personally enjoy the creation very much, and I hope that our music can bring joy to the audience.”
Piano and multi-media
Pianist and multi-media artist Song Siheng echoed Wang by explaining that it can take time for some audience members to accept new interpretations of well-established works. Despite the occasional struggle, Song sees value in mixing the classics with contemporary ideas and aesthetics.
Song’s recomposition of Chopin’s “24 Preludes” will come to the concert hall on March 18 in a show titled “Day and Night.” The show will feature Song on the piano, accompanied by electronic music from artist B6. The duo will perform as a series of digital images and videos are projected on stage.
“Night and Day” is the eighth such experimental multimedia show from Song since 2009. Though his early recitals divided audiences, Song says his following has grown with each successive show. He also sees the integration of contemporary sounds and tastes into classical music as an inevitable trend, one which he hopes to take personal part in shaping.
“Every artist has a desire to change the world,” says Song. “So do I.”
Dialogue between ballet and cello
The final show in the series, “Music and Figure” is billed as a dialogue between The Shanghai Ballet and cellist Chen Weiping. It is scheduled for March 25.
• ‘Zhe Gui Ling’ Peking Opera music concert
Date: March 4, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-280 yuan
• ‘Day and Night’ experimental recital
Date: March 18, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-280 yuan
• ‘Music and Figure’ concert
Date: March 25, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-380 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall
Tel: 400-8918-182
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