Suzhou Chinese Orchestra charms audiences in Japan

Peng Jiapeng, the artistic director and chief conductor of Suzhou Chinese Orchestra, directs the special concert in Nagoya. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Suzhou Chinese Orchestra, based in Suzhou New District, Jiangsu province, visited Japan from Jan 4 to 7 to participate in the 18th Chinese New Year festival in Nagoya.

During the four-day visit, the orchestra delivered a special concert and showcased their talents at the New Year reception and celebrations held by the consulate general of China in Nagoya.

At a reception on the morning of Jan 5, the Suzhou Chinese Orchestra presented a blend of Chinese and Japanese music. That evening, the special concert kicked off with the lively Festive Overture, followed by performances of the Chinese orchestral pieces like Red Dragonfly and Citrus Flowers adapted from Japanese music, the classic erhu piece The Moon Over a Fountain, and more.

Members of the Suzhou Chinese Orchestra respond to a curtain call at the special concert in Nagoya. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The concert concluded with orchestral renditions of Sakura, Blooming Flowers and Full Moon, and Thunder and Lightning Polka as an encore, receiving an enthusiastic applause from the captivated audience.

Highlighting the significance of the New Year in fostering global unity, Zhu Changyao, the orchestra's artistic guide, emphasized their active participation over the years in international festivities, including performances in Europe in 2019.

Peng Jiapeng, the artistic director and chief conductor, expressed that the concert served as a profound cultural exchange between China and Japan, familiarizing Japanese audiences with the current developments of Chinese orchestral music.