Grand Symphonic Suite “The Light of Liuyang River” Concert Performed Splendidly at HUTB
2023-12-30
“Oh Liuyang River, mother river, you flow with fragrance, you brim with joy, you surge with symphony, you ripple with songs of happiness, you surge forward towards the horizon, singing of the abundance and harmony of our hometown in the new era.” On the evening of December 28, the magnificent concert of the large-scale symphonic suite “The Light of Liuyang River,” a key artistic project of Hunan Province in 2023 and part of the “Elegant Melodies of Hunan: Elegant Art Enters Campus” touring program organized by the Publicity Department of Provincial CPC Committee and the Hunan Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, was staged spectacularly at our university’s Xiangjiang Lecture Hall. The faculty and students of the university were immersed in the baptism and influenced by the red culture of Hunan in this elegant art performance.
He Anjie, former Deputy Secretary of the the Leading CPC Group and Vice Chairman of the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and Deputy Director of Hunan Care-for-Next-Generation Work Committee, as well as Chen Xiaohong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Secretary of CPC HUTB Committee, and Director of Xiangjiang Laboratory, attended the concert. Li Jin, former First-level Inspector of Hunan Provincial Department of Water Resources; Ni Wenhua, member of the Leading CPC Group of and Vice Chairman of Hunan Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles; Deng Dongyuan, Vice Chairman of Hunan Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of Hunan Musicians Association, and Yinzhi Professor at our university; He Jianxiang, member of the Leading CPC Group of and Vice Chairman of Hunan Provincial Federation of Social Sciences; Liu Guoquan, Zhang Ling, Yang Liangqi, Gan Dejian, He Longde, Li Dingjun, and Nie Guoqing, Chief Leaders of the university; Guo Jia, Deputy Director of the Literature and Art Division of the Publicity Department of Provincial CPC Committee; Li Zijian, founder of the Li Zijian Art Museum and a famous painter; leaders of the Publicity Department of Provincial CPC Committee, Provincial Government agencies, and Hunan Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, as well as leaders of the Chairman’s Group of Hunan Musicians Association and industry associations and working committees, and musicians and artists representatives in Changsha participated in the concert with over 1,000 teachers and students. They enjoyed an amazing concert that embodies the unique cultural characteristics of Hunan, promotes the red themes, and plays a new era anthem. The concert was also broadcast live online, with nearly ten thousand viewers watching it.
The event was jointly hosted by the Publicity Department of Provincial CPC Committee, Hunan Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and HUTB, and was co-organized by Hunan Musicians Association, the CPC Committee Publicity Department of HUTB, HUTB Youth League Committee, and the School of Music. The Hunan Traditional Orchestra provided assistance. The concert was conducted by Xiao Ming, an expert from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a special allowance expert of the State Council, Dean of the School of Music at HUTB and national first-level conductor, and Vladimir Ponkin, a Russian national treasure-level conductor. The performance was given by the Moscow State Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, which is the largest and oldest world-famous symphony orchestra in Russia. Musicians from Hunan Musicians Association, Hunan Traditional Orchestra, Hunan Song and Dance Ensemble, Hunan Nationalities Orchestra Society, Hunan Nationalities Orchestra Association, and Changsha Musicians Association, as well as music teachers from our university’s School of Music also performed at the concert.
Chen Xiaohong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Secretary of CPC HUTB Committee, and Director of Xiangjiang Laboratory, delivered a speech at the concert, welcoming all the leaders, guests, and artists on behalf of HUTB and the Xiangjiang Laboratory. She pointed out that this concert will be another milestone in the construction of “Cultural HUTB” and “Artistic HUTB”. It will serve as an important platform for promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and foreign countries, deepening traditional friendship, and passing on the red revolutionary spirit while promoting excellent traditions. She expressed her sincere expectation to a wonderful symphony of “educating people for the Party, cultivating talents for the country, striving for innovation and breakthroughs, advancing hand in hand, and achieving win-win cooperation”. She also wished the concert great success.
“The Light of Liuyang River” was composed by Deng Dongyuan, Vice Chairman of Hunan Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of Hunan Musicians Association, and Yinzhi Professor at our university. Renowned composer Liu Zhenqiu served as the chief consultant for the composition, and it received high recognition from Zhao Jiping, Honorary Chairman of China Musicians Association and a famous composer, who wrote the preface for the complete score of the work. This suite consists of three parts: “Overture”, “Main Part”, and “Finale”.
The overture “Homeland Melody” is inspired by the original ecological music of the Liuyang-Daweishan area and incorporates elements of the Liuyang Confucian Ritual Music. It transitions from Liuyang ancient music to the folk song “Liuyang River”, spanning thousands of years in just 4 minutes, showing the profound and rich cultural history of the Liuyang River.
The main part consists of three movements and thirteen tracks, providing a wonderful description of the magical and touching stories of the Liuyang River. The first movement, “Ancient Charm: Magical Jiudaowan,” includes four tracks: “Liushui Ballad,” “Liushui Haozi,” “Tongguan Dream Quest,” and “Beautiful Mountains and Rivers.” These tracks capture the timeless charm of the original ecological beauty of the Liuyang River.
“Liushui Ballad” tells the beautiful and magical story of the Liuyang River through the dialogue between “Little Creek Sister” and “Big Creek Brother”. “Liushui Haozi” portrays the scene of Liuyang people’s lives as they move boats and release rafts.
“Tongguan Dream Quest” narrates the glorious history of Changsha Tongguan Kiln. “Beautiful Mountains and Rivers” vividly demonstrates the beauty of the green mountains and rivers in the Liuyang River basin.
The second movement, “Remembrance: Memories of the Autumn Harvest Uprising,” consists of five tracks: “Burning Passion,” “Sunrise in the East,” “Triumph of the Three Regiments,” “Gazing at Jinggangshan,” and “Monument of Heaven and Earth.” These tracks depict the heroic and courageous events of the “Autumn Harvest Uprising.”
“Burning Passion” inspires future generations to never forget their original intentions and strive forward. “Sunrise in the East” tells the story of Mao Zedong presiding over the Front Committee meeting and making a significant deployment to advance from attacking big cities to the countryside, forming the preliminary concept of the “encircling the cities from the countryside” strategic thinking. “Triumph of the Three Regiments” vividly portrays the magnificent scene where the three regiments achieved a resounding victory during the “Autumn Harvest Uprising”.
“Gazing at Jinggangshan” presents the grand scene of the meeting at Jinggangshan. “Monument of Heaven and Earth” conveys the message that the “Autumn Harvest Uprising” is an immortal “monument of heaven and earth” for all to see.
The third movement, “Building Dreams: Tribute to the New Era,” consists of four tracks: “Eternal Faith,” “Impressions of Changsha,” “Sentiments of the Liuyang River,” and “Tribute to the New Era.” These tracks showcase the exemplary spirit of the sons and daughters of Hunan and the efforts they put into building a socialist modernized Hunan Today.
“Eternal Faith” tells the story of the unwavering belief of Communist Party members, which serves as a significant force in achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. “Impressions of Changsha” is stirring and deeply moving, showing the progressive spirit of Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province.
“Sentiments of the Liuyang River” is full of passion, narrating the unwavering loyalty of the people of Hunan to the Party. “Tribute to the New Era” presents a vibrant and enterprising momentum, expressing the heroic aspirations of the people of Hunan.
The finale of the theme song “The Light of Liuyang River” summarizes and elevates the entire symphonic suite. Through beautiful music, it praises the red stories and supreme glory of Liuyang River, stirring up the magnificent power of “Tribute to the 20th CPC National Congress, Passion for Sanxiang, Advancing Towards a New Journey, and Building a New Era Together.”
The large-scale symphonic suite “The Light of Liuyang River” is the first time that Liuyang River has been presented in an epic way using pure orchestral music. It is also the first time that Liuyang ancient music and Hakka folk songs and other ethnic folk music have been brought onto the symphonic stage, achieving a wonderful dialogue between local regional music in Liuyang and Changsha and symphonic music across time and space. The work has achieved an organic integration of national characteristics and the spirit of the times in a breakthrough manner.
The concert hall was filled to capacity, and as the notes danced, the audience alternated between marveling at the beautiful natural scenery of Liuyang River, revisiting the glorious red history of Liuyang River, and experiencing the rapid pace of the times. The majestic yet melodious, grand yet delicate symphonic music reinterpreted the story of Liuyang River, making it feel as if time and space had reversed to that moment. The audience was immersed in the wonderful world of music, enjoying this feast for the senses. Applause resounded throughout the venue, as the audience expressed their warmest applause and gratitude to the symphony orchestra.
In the afternoon of that day, a special concert titled “The Light of Liuyang River” was performed for the faculties and students of the university.
On February 10 of this year, the large-scale symphonic suite “The Light of Liuyang River” premiered at the Hunan Theatre and was included as a key cultural project in Hunan Province for the year 2023. It was also included in the “Elegant Melodies of Hunan: Elegant Art Enters Campus” touring program by the Publicity Department of Provincial CPC Committee. Our university’s participation in hosting and performing “The Light of Liuyang River” concert has received widespread acclaim from various sectors of society, showing the remarkable achievements of our university in promoting the construction of “Cultural HUTB” and “Artistic HUTB” in recent years. It has further enhanced the social influence and reputation of our university, and has gathered the driving force to achieve the strategic goals of “Three Advances and Three Highs” and build a distinctive innovative first-class university of technology and business. (Written by Zhang Gaoyang, Yang Shuilin and Li Meiqi and photoed by Converged Media Center)
