West Lake International Music Festival Launched

The 2009 West Lake International Music Festival organized by the Propaganda Department of Hangzhou Municipal Committee of CPC was officially launched on Sept. 14th. As a leading program of the first Zhejiang Art Festival, the music festival will last for 30 days. Divided into five sections, the music festival includes an opening and closing ceremony, themed concerts and charity outdoor concerts. The famous musical "Cats" and the most expensive Chinese musical "Butterflies" have been specially invited to perform during the International Music Festival. The Hangzhou citizens are able to live with music in the month.

The highlights of the previous three West Lake International Music Festivals were those well-known guest artists such as Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Mono solar module Vienna Boys Choir, Laura Fygi, Queen of Latin Jazz and Cui Jian, Godfather of China's Rock & Roll. This year a newly-established local orchestra, the Hangzhou Philharmonic will be playing an important role. They will have four performances among the total 33 ones, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

During their previous performances, the Hangzhou Philharmonic played mainly western music. In this music festival, they are going to present the famous The Butterfly Lovers violin concerto as well as its Shaoxing Opera version. The composer and chief conductor of the concert Mr. He Zhanhao remarked that, the combination represents a return to the hometown, because the violin concerto derived from the homonymous Shaoxing Opera play. Performers of Shaoxing Opera will be on the stage singing with symphony.

In the closing ceremony, the Hangzhou Philharmonic will play the new symphony The Grand Canal composed by local Hangzhou musicians. Music fans are all wondering what sparkles will be produced when the Grand Canal meets Qiantang River, played by Zhejiang Orchestra.

A Brief Introduction of The Hangzhou Philharmonic

The Hangzhou Philharmonic has 73 members, 1/3 of whom graduated from world-class conservatories of music in USA, UK, Germany and Austria, and 2/3 of whom graduated from China's leading conservatories of music like Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Silicon solar cell module Shenyang Conservatory of Music, Xinghai Conservatory of Music, and Tianjin Conservatory of Music, etc.

The Chief Visiting Violist Mr. Xue Biao commented that 95% of the members had just graduated and their average age was about 25. These young players have been employed by world famous chamber troupes and orchestras in Spain. Mr. Xue Biao remarked that "most of them have very high potential to become a leading player in China. I believe after a few seasons' practice, they will have more experience, and they will make the Hangzhou Philharmonic the leading orchestra in China."