Hangzhou International Music Festival opened on 26th June, lasting for 21 days. Famous domestic and overseas orchestras performed at the festival.
Music Branch of Hangzhou Public Library actively participated in this grand festival. Four music lectures were held during the festival.
Yu Lina
Yu Lina, is an esteemed violinist and the most influential pedagogue in China who made her debut as violinist at the nationwide celebration of the 10th anniversary of the founding of China in 1959 at Shanghai, where she did a solo play of Butterfly Lovers. On June 30, this 77 years’ old artist was invited to give a lecture, sharing her understanding of the story of Butterfly Lovers and its violin concerto.
Yang Yandi
Yang Yandi, Professor of Music, as well as the deputy dean of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, gave a lecture on Beethoven's later artistic style. “This year marks the 190th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, so I decided to tell the story of Beethoven,” Yang Yandi said. During two hours lecture, Yang Yandi introduced Beethoven’s late period’s composition, which he thought had reached nature unity.
Bian Zushan
The third lecture was brought by Bian Zushan, the first-place conductor, centering on the theme of Puccini’s Song of Swan: Opera Turandot & Jasmine Flower. “The Jasmine Flower is the first Chinese folk song incorporated into foreign operas. Opera Turandot is telling a story happened in the Chinese Yuan Dynasty, which explains why a lot of Chinese elements are included.” Bian explained. Besides, the lecture was also a warm-up for the upcoming performance of Opera Turandot in Hangzhou Grand Theater on July 14.
Yu yang
The last lecture, brought by Yu yang, deputy professor of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, was mainly focused on Chinese Elements in Chinese Contemporary Music Creation, including Chinese traditional landscape painting, bamboos, stone steps, chrysanthemums, Chinese musical instruments, etc. During his lecture, he listed Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto and also Qi Que Xi Hu as examples, which fully embodyed the perfect combination of Chinese elements and music.
