Grand Music Gala Celebrating 75th Anniversary of HUTB Held
2024-10-30
After seventy-five years of building dreams together, we have secured countless achievements, and are committed to striving for a greater success. On the evening of October 25, the HUTB 2024 (Autumn-Winter) Campus Music Season and the 75th Anniversary Celebration Music Gala were passionately held at the Xiangjiang Lecture Hall in Xiangjiang Building. Chen Xiaohong, Secretary of CPC HUTB Committee, Director of Xiangjiang Laboratory, and CAE Academician, Liao Xiangyue, Deputy Secretary of CPC HUTB Committee and President of HUTB, He Longde, Secretary of the HUTB Commission for Discipline Inspection, Liu Guoquan, Deputy Director of the HUTB Academic Committee, academicians and experts attending the "Digital Economy and Engineering Technology" academic seminar, alumni returning for the 75th anniversary celebrations, along with faculty and students, all joined together to enjoy this spectacular music gala that showcased the fighting spirit of HUTB and the collective strength of its progressive efforts.
This concert is hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Committee, the HUTB Committee of the CYLC, and the School of Music. Xiao Ming, the national first-class conductor and Dean of the School of Music, served as the conductor. Huang Huali, a renowned vocalist and a professor from the Central Conservatory of Music, made a special guest appearance, and Yang Lele, a famous young conductor, was invited as the guest conductor. Liu Qing, a member of All-China Youth Federation, a member of Hunan Youth Federation, and Vice Chairperson of Hunan Literary and Art Volunteers’Association, served as the host. Renowned young musicians from China and Russia, including Chen Jiapo, Li Jiawei, Geng Zhe, Liu Xiaohua, Guo Hui, Zhou Xinke, Fan Chunyi, Boris Kalashnikov, Valeriya Zelenskaya, and others, along with the male dance troupe of the Hunan Song and Dance Ensemble, the Violet Women's Choir of Central South University, the Hunan Youth Ballet Theatre, young teachers from the School of Music, and the Changfeng Chorus, all gave passionate performances. The university's Xiangjiang Symphony Orchestra performed throughout the entire event.
Established in the same year as the motherland, we celebrate together with the motherland. The large-scale choral and symphonic piece "Today is Your Birthday" is emotionally delicate and deeply moving, expressing the sincere patriotic feelings of the Chinese people and their heartfelt wishes for the prosperity and flourishing of the motherland. The beautiful melody of "Happy Birthday" resonates throughout, with passionate singing that wishes HUTB a joyful 75th anniversary. The concert opened with this performance. The ballet "Waltz" composed a passionate poem full of romantic sentiment within the rhythm, where the graceful ballet movements and elegant symphonic music complemented each other, shining brilliantly.
The voice flows endlessly, together playing the sounds of a thousand years, both ancient and modern. The tenor solo "Come to Shambhala and See the Sun" showcases the natural beauty and cultural charm of Shambhala with its unique Tibetan folk song style. "Wild Goose" features a vast and free-flowing beautiful melody that evokes a sense of pleasure, making one feel as if they are standing on an endless grassland. The Jinghu and orchestra performance of "The Grand Mansion Gate Sketch" features rising and falling melodies, with dynamic and free-changing rhythms, bursting with a unique sense of beauty within its smooth and magnificent melodies. The folk music ensemble "Song of King Lanling Entering the Battlefield" is majestic and profound, showcasing the ancient and deep tones that vividly depict the heroic image of King Lanling charging into battle with his spear raised and sword in hand.
Striving with determination, hand in hand, we sing the anthem of youth. Accompanied by the beautiful melodies of various instruments, "A Lovely Rose" features a lively and vibrant rhythm. In the joyful and exuberant tune of "Life is So Beautiful," one feels a sense of uplifting power. "A Fresh Flower" has a lively melody, presenting a vibrant scene full of vitality. Longing speaks, and emotions flow, as the song "Legend" evokes the timeless passion of youth in countless hearts. "Love for the Republic" is filled with simple yet enduring spirit, opening a deep and heartfelt love story between me and my homeland.
Academician Chen Xiaohong was invited to the stage to perform "Human World," inspiring every ordinary person to grow toward the light like a seed, fearlessly pursuing their dreams. The lights across the venue flickered and converged into a sea of stars, while the song's melody echoed, creating a powerful force for progress. The esteemed academician, along with Liu Xiaohua, the young soprano from the China National Opera House, passionately performed "For Whom Do We Chase," intertwining their voices to express endless admiration for the bravery, fearlessness, and unyielding strength of the people’s soldiers.
Good news spreads, and the melodies resonate together across the seas. The tenor's performance of "You Are the Love of My Life," selected from the opera "The Land of Smiles," presents the male protagonist's deep and enduring love, while also conveying a philosophical attitude towards life. "O sole mio” uses the sun, symbolizing light and hope, as a metaphor for a lover, expressing boundless love and admiration in a powerful and soaring tone. The soprano’s performance of "Sì. Mi Chiamano Mimì" is full of emotional expression, with a conversational musical exchange that brings the innocent and joyful character of the heroine to life through the notes. The quartet performance of "A Drinking Song" features a lively dance rhythm and bright melodic colors throughout, vividly depicting a scene of festivity and celebration, while expressing the protagonist's longing for and admiration of love.
With a shared vision and determination, we gather immense strength. The performance of "Chilechuan" by the Violet Women's Choir of Central South University retains the original poetic essence while incorporating modern musical styles, making it more contemporary and impactful. The ballet "Cancan" features lively and graceful movements, with spins and jumps that fully showcase youthful energy, perfectly capturing the joyful and exuberant atmosphere. The soprano solo "Ode to Coral" is expansive and uplifting, with a strong national style. It uses the image of red coral to celebrate the courage and determination of the fisherwoman, Shanmei. "Fishing Girl on the Sea" features graceful dance movements that sway and extend in rhythm with the lively notes, showcasing an optimistic and revolutionary spirit.
The subsequent song interaction segment ignited the enthusiasm of the audience, bringing the atmosphere of the concert to a climax. The young teachers and outstanding student representatives from the School of Music invited the audience to sing along to classic songs such as "The Motherland Will Never Forget," "The Story of Time," "Ой цветет калина," "Подмосковные Вечера," "Our Lives Are Full of Sunshine," "Gone Too Far," "Common Jasmine Orange," "As You Wish," and "We’ll Meet Again in Twenty Years." The microphone was passed among the audience, and the singing echoed throughout the venue. The waves of applause and cheers surged through the crowd, and even after several songs, the audience's enthusiasm remained unfulfilled.
The chorus of voices expresses an indescribable deep love for the homeland and country. The soprano solo "Pamir, How Beautiful My Hometown Is" features a smooth and melodious tune, conveying the Tajik people's deep love and admiration for the Pamir Plateau. The group dance "Homeward" is passionate and vibrant, not only depicting a lively scene of the flowing grasslands but also highlighting the heroic spirit of the horse-riding men of the steppe. The choir performance of "Crossing Chishui River Four Times" alternates between fast and slow rhythms, capturing the revolutionary optimism of the Red Army soldiers in the face of difficult circumstances. The choir performance of "Defend the Yellow River" is grand and magnificent, vividly bringing to life the heroic image of the Chinese people rising up to fight.
Looking to the future, we set sail to a new chapter with the wind at our backs. The large-scale musical poetry recitation "Leap Toward First Class" is delivered with rhythmic variation and soaring emotion. Set to the slow and grand melody of "An Ode To The Red Flag," it expresses pride in the remarkable achievements of HUTB today and hopes for future progress and innovation, leaving the audience stirred and filled with excitement. The renowned Chinese soprano Huang Huali performed a solo of "Praise to the Red Plum Blossom," with a voice full of resonance and emotion, singing of unwavering belief and praising the selfless dedication of revolutionaries. She then performed "Liuyang River," telling a story of Hunan's local heritage. The classic melody transcends time and space, weaving an unforgettable expression of deep hometown affection. Between songs, Ms. Huang Huali sincerely extended her best wishes for the 75th anniversary of HUTB. She also improvised a performance of the Hubei folk song "Dragon-boat Melody," engaging in lively interaction with the audience. The unique exchange between the stage and the audience created a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere.
At the end of the concert, all the performers took to the stage and joined the faculty and students in singing songs such as "I Love You, China," "Song of Hunan University of Technology and Business," and "Ode to the Motherland." Finally, the melodious tune of "Tomorrow Will Be Better" filled the venue. With red flags waving and the sound of singing echoing, the scene was immersed in a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, marking the successful conclusion of the 75th anniversary music gala of HUTB.
(Written by Xu Chenxin, Tang Huilin and Zhang Gaoyang, and photo by the HUTB Converged Media Center)
