Symphonic Concert for Classic Concerto "Butterfly Lovers" May 1, 2008

Time: 2008/5/1
Venue: Beijing Concert Hall
Price: 80/180/280/480/680/880
MSN: ponypiaoen@hotmail.com
Tel: 86-10-64177845

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Chinesemusic is imbued with the history and charm of centuries of legend andmystery, and marked with the deep imprint of Chinese philosophy, whichwas characterized by concerto "Butterfly Lovers" and "Yellow River".

Chinesemusicians have also continued to combine western music with traditionalChinese music. Chinese music is now performed on western instruments oraccompanied by a mixed Chinese and Western orchestra. One of the mostsuccessful works are the violin concerto "The Butterfly Lovers".

Legend of "Butterfly Lovers"
TheButterfly Lovers Concerto was written in 1959 by Chen Gang and HeZhanhao while they were students at the Shanghai Conservatory and wasfirst performed in May the following year. Musically the concerto is asynthesis of Eastern and Western traditions and overall style areadapted from traditional Chinese opera. The solo violin is used with atechnique that recalls the playing technique of the Chinese two-stringfiddle. It is a one-movement programmatic concerto, with three phasesof the story-Fall In Love, Opposition To An Arranged Marriage andTransformation Into Butterflies.

Thenarrative, derived from Chinese folk-lore, tells the story of thelovers Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. The two had been studyingtogether, with Zhu Yingtai disguised as a boy, her identity unknown toher friend Liang Shanbo. Their period of study together and friendshipis a happy one, which comes to an end when Zhu Yingtai is compelled toreturn home, and the couple part at a pavilion, eighteen miles from thecity. This forms the exposition of a tripartite sonata form movement.

Inthe central section, the formal development, Zhu Yingtai now defies herfather, who has arranged a marriage for her. Liang Shanbo decides tovisit Zhu Yingtai and only finds she is a girl and about to be married.There is a tender duet between violins and cello, now Liang Shanborealizes the nature of his affection for his former companion. LiangShanbo dies the victim of despair, and Zhu Yingtai, on the way to herwedding, stops at her lover's tomb and leaps into it. The tomb burstsopen and at the sound of the gong the music reaches a climax.

Inthe final section of the concerto, the recapitulation, the loverreappears and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai emerge from the tomb as apair of butterflies, flying together, never more to be parted.

Official Website: http://www.piao.com.cn/en%5Fpiao/ticket_1709.html