On Sunday, January 9, the RDFZ Gold Sail Symphony Orchestra of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China visited Andover and performed works by both Western and Chinese composers in Cochran Chapel.
“Today marks another milestone in the long and fruitful relationship between our two schools,” said Rebecca Sykes, Associate Head of School.
The High School Affiliated to the Renmin University of China is a sister school of both Andover and Exeter. In 2001, the Andover Orchestra played Renmin University High School. Now, 11 years later, the RDFZ Gold Sail Symphony Orchestra brought its talent to Andover.
The RDFZ Orchestra played the majority of the concert, but in two pieces the visiting musicians collaborated with the Phillips Academy Chamber Orchestra, led by James Orent, Conductor of the Phillips Academy Chamber Orchestra and Instructor in Music.
An audience of both Chinese and English-speaking listeners completely filled the first floor of the Chapel. Jenny Zhou ‘11, Sunny He ‘12 and a representative of the RDFZ Orchestra provided translations for all introductions and remarks.
The program included music from contemporary Chinese composers and Chinese folk songs. Between works by Antonín Dvorák and John Williams, the Chinese compositions provided the spark and atmosphere that defined the concert.
Malina Simard-Halm ’14, said, “The amount of talent within this group is incredible, wonderful, phenomenal. When you close your eyes and lose yourself in the music… sometimes I found it hard to believe that I [was] at Andover and not at the Philharmonic.”
The energy of conductors He Xiaoquing and Wang Linlin helped channel the Chinese musicians’ obvious passion for music.
The concert first presented “The Butterfly Lover’s Violin Concerto,” written by Chen Qigang and Liang Zhanhao, two composers from Shanghai. The piece featured violin soloist Wang Youren, the concertmaster of the orchestra.
While the thunderous orchestra threatened to overwhelm the violin, the solo’s ample allure still managed to attract the audience’s attention.
In “See Yangko,” composed by Bao Yuankai, the brass and percussion sections dominated the vigorous and martial piece.
A small metallic gong that produced a sound akin to cymbals emphasized the nationalistic nature of the quick and powerful piece.
“Jasmine Flower,” composed by He Rong and Li Wenping, started with a solo of delicate bells. A gradual crescendo evolved the careful and quiet introduction into a piece of strength and confidence through the dignified and majestic strings.
To conclude the concert, the orchestra played Western music in collaboration with the Phillips Academy Chamber Orchestra. The two orchestras performed Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons (Spring)” and John Williams’ “Across the Stars.”
Jerry Kong, Renmin High School Class of 1975, said, “37 years ago I graduated. At that time…there was no western music. But after 1980, an open policy in China started from the economic side… you know, people started doing business, breaking the system at the time… they wanted more.”
The harmony between the orchestras accentuated the bond that Andover and the High School Affiliated to the Renmin University of China share and also allowed musicians to highlight the differences between orchestral music in the United States and in China.
Orent reminded the audience of the significance of an orchestra from China. He stressed the rough past of orchestras in China.
He said, “It was around ’75, ’76, I remember turning on the radio… listening [to a symphony from China], and I thought oh… this so very different.”
