On October 8, the 27th Beijing International Music Festival premiered a commissioned new work titled “Nine Songs: Everlasting Love” at the Poly Theatre. Conducted by the Music Director of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Huang Yi, the concert featured the fantasy piece “Everlasting Love” and the concerto “Nine Songs,” showcasing a dynamic fusion of Western classical music’s grand romanticism and the deep lyrical essence of Chinese folk music.
The “Nine Songs” draws its inspiration from the ancient poet Qu Yuan’s “Chu Ci,” a hallmark of classical Chinese literature. Commissioned by the Beijing International Music Festival, Chinese-American composer Zhou Long created a large symphonic epic consisting of eleven movements in 2013. Building upon this symphonic framework, Zhou has reimagined “Nine Songs” as a concerto for erhu and orchestra in collaboration with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and the Beijing International Music Festival.
Zhou explained that this version centers around the expressive tones of the erhu, maintaining the eleven movements while weaving the literary imagery of the original text into the poignant melodies of the erhu. The piece balances both classical and contemporary elements, elegantly capturing poetic rhythms that evoke a range of emotions. Throughout the movements, specific Western instruments are paired with characters and themes from mythology, bringing to life vivid musical representations of deities and legendary figures such as the Cloud God, Xiang Jun, and more. “The erhu is not just an instrument; it is a time-traveling storyteller that narrates the tales within ‘Nine Songs’ through its unique timbre and expressiveness,” Zhou remarked.
Erhu performer Lu Yiwen expressed that this work is both a significant challenge and a source of unique allure. “Different movements interact with various Western instruments, creating a dialogue that reflects both resonance and contrast, ultimately achieving a harmonious integration,” Lu stated.
The concert also featured “Everlasting Love,” composed by Swiss composer Richard Dubugnon. This work, which explores themes of life, love, and eternity, is imbued with a sense of freedom and joy. Commissioned in 2018 by the Beijing International Music Festival in collaboration with several institutions, it had its world premiere in Australia. Notably, the same internationally renowned musicians, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and cellist Gautier Capuçon, performed at this premiere and returned for the current concert. Coincidentally, “Everlasting Love” is also structured in eleven segments, each with distinctive rhythms and atmospheres, showcasing a variety of musical emotions and imagery.
Since initiating its commissioning model in 2001, the Beijing International Music Festival has consistently collaborated with renowned composers from China and abroad, enriching the landscape of Chinese music and garnering greater respect and attention for Chinese culture on the international stage. Yu Long, chairman of the festival’s artistic committee, emphasized the importance of promoting China’s finest composers and works globally, marking a significant step in the dialogue between Chinese music and the wider world.
