Orchestras usually conjure up images of tuxedo-clad men, women in black dresses and violins. But throw in the word 'China,' and suddenly the whole phrase takes on a new context. Indeed, Wednesday evening's performance of the National Traditional Orchestra of China proved to be an enlightening experience.
The National Traditional Orchestra of China, conducted by Hu Bingxu, was founded in 1960 in Beijing as a part of the China Central Ensemble of National Music, which is the largest and most prestigious organization devoted to the performance of Chinese folk music. In spite of their dedication to folk music, the members of the ensemble are all highly trained musicians, star pupils of the leading institutions of China, such as the China Central Conservatory in Beijing and the Shanghai conservatory. And though the Orchestra is centered in Beijing, it has performed throughout China and other Asian countries. Last night's performance was a part of the Orchestra's first United States tour.
The National Traditional Orchestra of China performed with indigenous Chinese instruments, some of which had originated more than a thousand years ago. The Orchestra was comprised of strings, winds and percussion instruments, as well as a number of plucked instruments without a western counterpart, accounting for a distinctive sound.
Eleven pieces were played Wednesday evening. The first piece, "The General's Command," was perhaps the best, deeply impassioned, with excellent dynamics and balance. At all times, the piece retained a sense of solemnity, creating the impressions of a great army on the march. The last piece in the program, "Battle at the Golden Beach," had a similar military theme.
The first featured soloist of the evening was Wu Yuxia on the pipa, a pear-shaped plucked instrument with 26 frets. Yuxia played with extreme grace and dexterity in "Spring on a Moonlit River." The next piece featured Song Fei, on the erhu. The instrument itself consists of only two strings, and its mellow sound is produced by drawing a bow between the strings, rather than on top. Fei was the only woman in the erhu section of the Orchestra, and her performance was spectacular.
The third soloist, cellist Hei-Ye Ni, was the only performer who played on a nontraditional instrument that evening, in a piece called "Spring Dreams," written by University professor Bright Sheng. Ni did a splendid job with the piece.
The Orchestra was so well received that they played an encore piece, "America, the Beautiful." The two-hour concert was a rare opportunity to hear a fantastic ensemble.
The National Traditional Orchestra of China performed at Hill Auditorium.