Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Beijing, April 2 (Xinhua) — The Osipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia and the Central Folk Instruments Orchestra of China will perform together on Thursday at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing.
A joint concert by Russian and Chinese folk instrument orchestras was included as the opening concert of the third "Spring of National Music" festival. In addition to performing with the Chinese orchestra, the N. P. Osipov ensemble will also give concerts in two locations from April 4th to 5th: the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Concert Hall and its Beijing Performing Arts Center.
The gala concert will feature performances of famous Russian folk melodies and works by Russian composers inspired by Russian national music. For example, the Young Soloists' Ensemble of the Orchestra will perform the famous song "I Look into the Blue Lakes" in an arrangement for ensemble, Anatoly Lyadov's classic Russian music "Round Dance," and many other works. It will also feature classical Chinese works, such as "Yuzhou Changwan /The Fishing Boat Sings in the Evening/," "Yuda Bajiao /Rain Lashes on Banana Leaves/," and works arranged for combined orchestra, including "He Ming /Harmony of Sounds/," "Liang Xiao /Beautiful Night/," "Peddlers," and others.
The fantasy "Harmony of Sounds" is particularly noteworthy, combining the Chinese "Song of Horse Grazing" and the Russian classic "Moscow Nights." As Meng Xiao, pipa player with the Central Folk Orchestra of China, explained, "Harmony of Sounds" is not simply a combination of Chinese and Russian classical music, but a mutual listening and fusion. We hope that people will hear different musical voices in it and also feel our deep emotional connection and friendship.
"We understand Chinese culture through folk melodies," shared Vladimir Andropov, conductor of the Russian orchestra and People's Artist of Russia and laureate of the Russian Government Prize. Citing the renowned Russian composer Glinka's assertion that the people create melodies, while composers merely arrange and arrange them, he noted that folk music plays a vital role in the cultural dialogue between countries, and the N. P. Osipov Orchestra, which he directs, actively explores folk themes.
The joint concert of national orchestras will not only present the capital's audience with an unusual sound; during rehearsals, Russian and Chinese musicians will interact and try out each other's instruments. This interesting interplay of culture and instrumentation is a valuable creative interaction, noted Vladimir Andropov.
"When cultures intersect, a true dialogue emerges: I speak Russian, the language of music, and you respond in Chinese. This is the most precious moment. What I love most is this interaction with the musicians on stage. This is what I look forward to," balalaika player and soloist with the N. P. Osipov Orchestra Alexander Nikolaychuk told Xinhua ahead of the joint concert.
"We've known the Russian musicians of the N. P. Osipov Orchestra for many years, and we're also well acquainted with Russian music, as many of our country's musicians studied in Russia and returned home. Language can sometimes be a barrier, but we communicate through music—and our souls find complete understanding," shared Li Chao, deputy concertmaster of the Central Folk Instruments Orchestra of China and huqin player.
Founded in 1919, the N. P. Osipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia is one of the oldest orchestras in Russia and is considered a national treasure and a hallmark of its culture. The Central Orchestra of Folk Instruments of China, founded in 1960 at the initiative of Premier Zhou Enlai, is recognized as the largest folk instrument orchestra in China.
Let us recall that in January-February 2025, the Russian orchestra also performed five concerts in Beijing during the Spring Festival holidays (Chinese New Year), as well as in May 2024 at the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Cross Years of Culture and a special concert dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. -0-
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