[Integrated Development of Culture and Technology] HUTB Hosts “Ballet and Symphony” Music Concert of Famous Works from China and Abroad

2024-06-01

Ballet and symphony blend to resonate with the sound of the new era. On the evening of May 30, the “Ballet and Symphony” music concert of famous works from China and abroad, part of the university's “Towards 2035: Integration and Innovation for the Future” Technology and Culture Expo and the 2nd Science and Technology Festival, was held at the Xiangjiang Lecture Hall in Xiangjiang Building. Chen Xiaohong, Secretary of the CPC HUTB Committee, Director of the Xiangjiang Laboratory, and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), along with visiting guests and representatives of faculty and students, experienced the unique charm of “Ballet and Symphony” and immersed themselves in this spectacular audio-visual feast combining Chinese and Western elements.

This concert is hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Committee, the HUTB Committee of the CYLC, and the School of Music. The concert was conducted by Xiao Ming, an expert from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a special allowance expert of the State Council, a national first-level conductor, and the Dean of the School of Music. 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. Special guests included renowned singers Geng Zhe and Liu Xiaohua from the China National Opera House, young soprano Chen Qian from the Hunan Song and Dance Ensemble, and performers from the Hunan Youth (International) Ballet Theatre, along with several young artists. The Xiangjiang Symphony Orchestra of the university performed passionately throughout the concert, with young teachers from the School of Music and the Changfeng Chorus participating.

Under the baton of Professor Xiao Ming, the orchestral piece “Triumphal March” conveyed the imposing and orderly spirit of the military through its march-style rhythm. The ballet dancers’ lively and spirited steps, combined with the opera singers’ splendid and dignified poses, vividly showcased the grandeur of a military triumph, reflecting the high spirits and joy of victory. This performance marked the official opening of the concert.

The orchestral and ballet piece “Spanish Dances” vividly showcased elegance and passion, allowing the audience to experience the fervor and exuberance of Spanish culture through its distinctly nationalistic melodies. The soprano solo “The Power of Technology” was powerful and emotionally charged, while “Funiculi Funicula” highlighted the courage and determination required for continuous ascent. Through these songs, the performers expressed their heartfelt wishes for the prosperity and strength of their homeland and for self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology. The aria “Era eguale la voce?” featured a unique and distinctive performance style through the enthusiastic interaction between China National Opera House singer Geng Zhe and the audience. Excerpts from the opera “The White-Haired Girl”, including “The North Wind Blows” and “Tying the Red Headband”, imbued deep emotion into the lyrics, touching the hearts of all the audience with the profound father-daughter bond. The orchestral and ballet piece “Vltava” featured the rhythms and tempo of folk dances, embodying a simple yet powerful emotion filled with a sense of forward momentum and fervent love. The interplay between the orchestra and the lively, agile movements of ballet dancers vividly portrayed the flowing Vltava River to life for the audience. The combination of Wenqin (a new type of musical instrument) and orchestra in “The Song of the Wanderer” highlighted the musical concept of diverse beauty from both Eastern and Western instruments, showcasing their unique and harmonious qualities. The melodious strains encircle the audience's ears, revealing the beauty of innovation.

The soprano solo “Longing” featured a captivating and moving voice, expressing a heartfelt hope for national prosperity, national rejuvenation, and people's happiness. The cello and ballet performance of “Swan” was vivid and elegant, with the graceful ballet movements set against the cello’s deep, melodic strains, subtly reflecting profound thoughts on life. The violin and ballet performance of “Butterfly Lovers” was both beautiful and moving, blending Chinese folklore with Western violin and ballet in a perfect fusion that innovatively presented this timeless love story to the audience. The duet "Pursuit" was grand, impassioned, and deeply moving, passionately narrating the Chinese Communists' unwavering perseverance, hard work, and the resolute pursuit of their ideals at the dawn of New China's founding.

The fourth movement of the grand piano concerto "Yellow River" is majestic and dramatic, vividly depicting a series of heroic and resolute scenes through its dynamic and fluctuating musical emotions. During the event, guests and young teachers from the School of Music joined together to sing "Farewell, Dabie Mountain," expressing their heartfelt affection for the revolutionary cradle of the Dabie Mountain and bidding a poignant farewell to loved ones. The soprano solo “Snow To the Tune of Chin Yuan Chun” was grand and magnificent, with China National Opera House singer Liu Xiaohua passionately expressing boundless admiration for the country's majestic landscapes and the ambitious spirit of proletarian leadership. The symphonic ballet “Waltz” weaved a passionate ode through its melodies, with the graceful dance and lively tunes immersing the audience in a profound sense of love for life and anticipation for the future. Chen Qian, a young singer from the Hunan Song and Dance Ensemble, performed “Spring Ballet,” which draws on folk songs and integrates elements of ballet and waltz. The performance conveyed the vibrant spirit of spring and a sense of confidence.

Young teachers from the School of Music performed a choir of classic songs including "Spring Breeze Ten Thousand Miles," "Unforgettable Melodies," "Let’s Fight," "War Song of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army," "I Am a Soldier," "Returning from Target Practice," and "We Soldiers." Their powerful and stirring voices expressed boundless love for the motherland and deep respect for the people’s army.

In the end, the attending academicians, experts, and distinguished guests were invited to the stage to join the entire audience of faculty and students in singing "Battle Hymn of the Strong Army" and "Building the Chinese Dream Together." Together, they celebrated the era's powerful call for national strength and rejuvenation, uniting to channel the immense energy of the construction and development of HUTB. The concert concluded successfully amidst the stirring music and enthusiastic atmosphere. (Written by Xu Chenxin, Han Silang and Zhang Gaoyang and photos by Converged Media Center)