New York event unites cultures through music

United by musical instruments and shared melodies, over 700 young musicians from around the world participated in the World Orchestra Week in New York from Aug 1 to 7.

Over seven consecutive days in Carnegie Hall, youth orchestras took turns performing on stage, collaborating with top conductors and soloists.

Five youth orchestras from Africa, Asia, Europe and South America collaborated with US orchestras in New York City. Participants included the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela, Beijing Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, or NYO-USA.

"Everyone is here for one thing, music. Hearing each other's pieces and stuff will definitely bring us closer," Jeremiah La Fayette, an 18-year-old from Tampa, Florida, who plays the viola in the NYOUSA, told China Daily.

"Since this is the place where I live, and people are coming from across the world, I'd like to help as much as possible to make them feel comfortable and make them new friends over here."

Sydney Richardson, 17, from East Texas, told China Daily that even though there are some language barriers with friends from other countries, they still can read different lines of other orchestra's pieces and play music together.

"Music is the language of the world, and it's the only thing that no matter where you're from, you will understand the notes and staff, the rhythm and everything," she said.

Richardson said she received a bookmark with a little panda on it from her new Chinese friends.

Liu Fenghe, an 18-year-old cello player from Beijing, told China Daily that it was fun to discuss music with US musicians.

"Music and culture are closely linked. On the pentatonic scale, Chinese music places more emphasis on melody, while Western music, with its triadic harmonies, focuses more on the interplay between different parts. This is why we can observe both the similarities and differences in music brought about by culture," he said.

The Beijing Youth Orchestra made its debut performance in the United States on Aug 4 at Carnegie Hall. The orchestra, established on June 23, is made up of 130 young musicians from schools such as the Central Conservatory of Music.

They performed selections of masterpieces from both Chinese and Western music, such as Bao Yuankai's Chinese Sights and Sounds, Zhao Jiping's Pipa Concerto No 2 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 in E minor.

"For me, it was quite a challenge," Jin Zhicheng, a horn player of the Beijing Youth Orchestra, told China Daily. "Our orchestra was just established, and it was my first time performing such large pieces. Seeing the reaction from the New York audience gave me a great sense of accomplishment."

Traditional instrument

"I think the audience here is incredibly enthusiastic. I felt especially proud when I introduced the traditional Chinese instrument, the pipa, before the performance," Wang Fucan, 17, principal cellist of the Beijing Youth Orchestra, told China Daily.

He explained to the audience the sounds of the pipa and its connection to the Silk Road.

"On the first day the orchestra was established, I told the students that we must showcase our passion for music, art and life," Lyu Jia, conductor of the Beijing Youth Orchestra, told China Daily.

"Through music, they gained a profound spiritual experience and felt the charm of both Chinese and Western cultures, confidently performing on a world-renowned stage. I believe this experience will be life-changing and incredibly beneficial for them."

Sarah Johnson, chief education officer at Carnegie Hall, told China Daily that it was not only about music, but also cultural exchanges.

"In music, you don't need words. You don't need language. Music as a bridge builder, a safe collaborative space for people to share experiences, and now it's time for the younger generation," she said.

Clive Gillinson, executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall, told China Daily that it has been a dream for quite a long time to create a national youth orchestra week at Carnegie Hall.

Zhang Yao, vice-president of the China National Centre for the Performing Arts, or NCPA, told China Daily that when the Philadelphia Orchestra made its groundbreaking tour 51 years ago, its performances significantly contributed to US-China relations.

"Symphony music can contribute to the friendship between China and the US," he said. "We especially hope that more foreign friends and young people will come to the NCPA to perform, watch performances and learn about Chinese culture."

mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com