On January 6th, Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory Concert Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform a special New Year concert at the Eastern Conference hall.
the orchestra on stage
Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory was founded in 1866 and is considered as one of the most prominent music school around the world. It has been 140 years since the establishment of its symphony orchestra.
2020 marks the 180th anniversary of the birth of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who was the greatest composer, music educator and also known as the great master in Russian music and the master of melody. In the meantime of bringing the wonderful performance to USTC, the orchestra was also meant to pay tribute to the music legend. Vyacheslav Valeyev was the conductor, who is recognized as a shining and active conductor by many music critics. The pianist LU Chao, a Ph.D. student of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory Concert Symphony Orchestra, has toured China with the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory Concert Symphony Orchestra for two consecutive years. His superb piano performance skills have been well received.
the conductor Vyacheslav Valeyev
the pianist LU Chao
In the first half of the show, they performed Piano Concerto No. 1, which was composed by Tchaikovsky between 1874 and 1975. It was dedicated to Hans von Bülow, a pianist and conductor from Germany. The concerto follows the traditional form of three movements. The first movement proceeds allegro, accompanied by the cello, violin, horn and clarinet. It conveys a feeling of love and sincerity, just like a sweet dream. The second movement is an andantino semplice with pastoral style, which is one of Tchaikovsky's most beautiful lyric chapters. After the flute's opening statement of the melody, the piano continues. Then two cellos return and the oboe continues it, which forms a fast and hurried Capriccio. This section ends with the piano holding a high F major chord, pianissimo. The final movement is a passionate allegro, with a Ukrainian folk theme based on a song Vyidy, vyidy, Ivanku. It shows greeting to Spring, people are really excited about the coming of the farming season. Convivial as well as lyrical and graceful themes were presented, expressing the youth and inner joy of people.
Close-up feature of the violinists
Close-up feature of the major violoncellist
Close-up feature of the violoncellists
Close-up feature of the flutists
The second half started with Variations on a Rococo Theme composed by Tchaikovsky. Rococo often refers to a music style, transitioning from baroque to classical music. The style was inspired by Mozart, which was not only smooth and beautiful as shown in Mozart's poetic composition, but also presented the artistic characteristic of Tchaikovsky, as well as the national music style of Russian. The audience were amazed at the unique charm of cello.
The following performance was Good News From Beijing Reaches the Frontier, an orchestral music full of Chinese style, which used the artistic performance form of duet popular with the natives. In addition, the composition used the tone of Miao and Yi ethnic groups to shape the musical image. The jubilant mood of the village people and their vivid lifestyle were fully expressed.
Close-up feature of the major violinist
Close-up feature of the clarinetist
Many other classic symphonies were performed, including Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, Hungarian Dances No.5 by Johannes Brahms, Carmen Toreador Song by Georges Bizet, Let's Be Happy by Giora Feidman and Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky Korsakov. The lively atmosphere of the concert impressed the audience.
The New Year concert came to an end with Radetzky March, a march composed by Johann Strauss Sr.
Curtain call of the orchestra
(Written by Marhaba, edited by JIANG Pengcen, USTC News Center)
