Europe to see Tan Dun and Guangzhou orchestra perform for Spring Festival

Bringing together both Chinese and Western music classics for Chinese New Year, conductor Tan Dun and the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra will tour European countries including Switzerland and Belgium.

The Spring Festival concert will debut on Jan 29 in Brussels with Fireworkscomposed by Igor Stravinsky and Farewell My Love by the conductor himself.

The theme – "fire-phoenix"is a auspicious symbol in Chinese culture. Tan uses piano and a Peking Opera soprano to recreate the tragic love story between King Xiang Yu and his concubine Yu. The piece also pays deep homage to Peking Opera legend Mei Lanfang by absorbing the artistic style of Mei.

Audiences are also going to relish a new version of Song of the Phoenix, a folk song from Henan province in Central China. Composer Guan Xia successfully fuses the orchestra into the original music played by the Chinese suona.

Fireworks marks the peak of Russian ballet art. Enjoying equal popularity and appreciation as Swan Lake, this piece celebrates its centennial in 2019.

A string of brilliant musicians will also be onstage, including pianist Ralph van Raat, Peking Opera soprano Lian Wenqing and Chinese suona performer Liu Wenwen.

The Chinese New Year will start on Feb 5.

[File photo]