On the evening of October 18, the 13th Qintai Music Festival kicked off at the Qintai Concert Hall in Wuhan. Under the baton of conductor Fu Renchang, the Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra, along with renowned tenor Yan Weiwen, presented a symphonic concert titled “Yanhuang Style—Symphonic Music with Chinese Folk Themes.”
The concert opened with a grand orchestral suite featuring selections from “Yanhuang Style.” Timeless folk songs such as “Duihua,” “Xiaohe Tangshui,” “Fangma Shangge,” and “Yu Bu Sa Hua Hua Bu Hong” were reinterpreted, blending modern elements with the unique flavors of traditional music, offering a refreshing experience for the audience.
Following this, Yan Weiwen performed his signature pieces, including “Mother,” “Little White Poplar,” and the popular Shanxi folk song “Xiang Qin Qin,” as well as the suona concerto “Bai Niao Chao Feng,” showcasing a range of classic works.
This year’s Qintai Music Festival features three main components: a theater music series, a community music series, and citizen music salons, hosting over 50 performances and activities over 41 days, transforming it into a vibrant musical feast. The theater music series includes a variety of art forms including symphony, musicals, traditional Chinese music, chamber music, piano, vocal, guqin, and choral performances.
During the festival, esteemed performance groups such as the China Film Orchestra, China Broadcasting Choir, Russian National Symphony Orchestra, Music Eternal Orchestra, Paris Opera Chamber Orchestra, and Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, along with numerous renowned musicians from China and abroad, will participate.
Additionally, popular shows that resonate with younger audiences, such as the French musical “Notre Dame de Paris,” the national trend operatic performance “Han Xizai Night Banquet,” and the immersive suspense musical “Flame” will also take the stage at this year’s festival.
Moreover, the citizen music salon will not only offer masterclasses with tenor Piero Giuliacci and the principal violinist of the Russian National Symphony Orchestra, but also engage the public with outdoor events such as “Jazz for Kids,” “Guqin Performance and Choir,” and “Hanshui Ballad—Voices of Children,” among other community arts and cultural outreach programs.
