A Shanghai sound
The ensemble was established in 1952, among the earliest large modern orchestras devoted to Chinese instruments. Its history includes both the development of Shanghai-style Chinese music and the creation of new orchestral repertoire. That combination matters here. A Chinese orchestra is a living concert ensemble, capable of presenting familiar seasonal melodies and music that originated far outside that tradition.
The announced instruments include the suona, whose double reed produces a bright, penetrating sound, and the pipa, a four-stringed plucked lute. Their contrasting voices make a particularly good introduction to the breadth of the orchestra: brilliant projection on one side, articulated strings on the other.
Prosperity, with a change of rhythm
The fifth lunar day is associated with welcoming the God of Wealth, an auspicious point in the holiday for hopes of prosperity. The concert gives that custom a musical setting. Spring Festival Overture and Gong Xi Fa Cai make the seasonal connection immediate; Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue introduces another language of urban celebration.
That is the interesting part of the bill for me. The programme connects a Chinese holiday with a work associated with American concert life, putting both into the hands of a Shanghai ensemble whose identity has long involved adaptation and new writing.
At Theatre Young
The performance is on 21 February at 7.30pm on Theatre Young’s main stage, 1155 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu (杨浦区控江路1155号). Announced ticket prices run from RMB88 to RMB388. The venue’s official WeChat ticketing mini programme is YOUNG剧场微票务.