Recently, a New Year's concert blending artistry and hope unfolded magnificently at Jincheng Grand Theatre. The musical feast performed by Russia's Ulyanovsk State Model Symphony Orchestra brought boundless joy and aspirations for the future.
Entering the concert hall, the sight of every seat filled was breathtaking. The audience sat with eager anticipation, their eyes sparkling with love for music and hopes for the new year. On stage, lights gradually brightened to reveal musicians dressed in formal attire, standing tall and poised, their instruments gleaming under the spotlight.
The concert commenced with the “Light Cavalry Overture,” its stirring melody instantly igniting the atmosphere. Conductor Edward Jachura took the stage, his every gesture precise and powerful as he guided the orchestra through harmonious and awe-inspiring movements. The strings flowed with silk-like smoothness, violins soaring with melodious highs, cellos resonating with rich, deep basses—their interplay weaving an ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere. Brass instruments added a majestic grandeur with their resounding tones.
Throughout the performance, beloved pieces like Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Suite, selections from The Nutcracker, and the “Drinking Song” from La Traviata propelled the concert to successive climaxes. Notes flowed like a river, conveying delicate emotions to every audience member, leaving them spellbound and erupting in thunderous applause.
Beyond classic Western repertoire, the concert ingeniously incorporated local musical elements. The selection “Happy Warrior” from The Red Detachment of Women showcased the charm of East-West cultural fusion, adding a unique touch to the New Year concert. When the theme song “My Motherland” from the film Shangganling began, the orchestra's soprano Kristina Schwitz launched into her solo in Chinese. The lyrics “A mighty river flows wide, its waves rolling high / The wind carries the fragrance of rice flowers to both shores” echoed through the concert hall, stirring the hearts of every attendee and igniting a profound sense of national pride. The applause was long and sustained.
The Ulyanovsk State Model Symphony Orchestra ranks among Russia's foremost symphony orchestras, widely acclaimed for its exceptional artistic standards and performance excellence. Comprising 110 musicians, its members are rigorously selected graduates from prestigious conservatories in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Ulyanovsk. Over its more than half-century history, the orchestra has toured 16 countries worldwide and performed in over 100 Russian cities, delivering more than 4,000 concerts. Its European tours have taken it to Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and beyond, where its performances have earned high praise from international media and critics, cementing its status as a shining emblem of Russia's cultural diplomacy.
At the concert venue, over 1,000 audience members were immersed in the enchanting melodies. “Today, witnessing this musical feast brought by an international orchestra, I believe everyone here shares my profound excitement,” remarked Wang Quanhui, President of the Jincheng City Choral Association and Director of the Taihang Sunshine Philharmonic Orchestra. “Music transcends borders. Hosting such a high-caliber concert locally offers our own orchestra a precious learning opportunity.” Since 2012, the Taihang Sunshine Philharmonic Orchestra has organized its own annual concerts. “In recent years, Jincheng has invited numerous international orchestras to perform. This form of musical cultural exchange serves as a learning opportunity for our local ensembles. We can draw on the performance experience of foreign orchestras to enhance our own concerts,” Wang explained.
Music enthusiast Shi Yixuan remarked, “The performance quality was exceptional. The Jincheng Grand Theatre stage was elegantly simple, with perfectly calibrated lighting, and the musicians performed with effortless mastery.” What struck her most was the musicians wearing scarves in China red, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. “My favorite piece was the Spring Festival Overture. Hearing it performed made me feel immense pride that traditional Chinese music culture is being understood, appreciated, and interpreted by more people worldwide,” Shi Yixuan remarked. As an arts enthusiast, she has witnessed Jincheng's evolving cultural landscape over the years. “The Jincheng Grand Theatre has introduced numerous operas and musicals. I attend whenever possible—it's a blessing to be a resident of Jincheng.”
Li Jiahao is a student at Galaxy School. “I've been learning the violin for many years, and after watching this concert today, my love for music has grown even stronger. Beyond my studies, playing an instrument is my hobby—it helps me relax and relieve stress. I will definitely keep learning.”
As the final note faded, the entire audience rose to their feet, applauding with cheers and shouts of approval filling the air. This New Year's concert was more than just a musical gathering; it served as a ritual for bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new. Its enchanting melodies dispelled the weariness of the past year, while its stirring rhythms heralded hopes for the future. Every audience member departed filled with profound emotion and renewed strength, ready to embark on new journeys. (Reporter Yuan Quan)