Reliving Wu Zuqiang's Pipa Classic

Name one reason to take a 48-hour trip to Qingdao, best known for its brewery and German style architectures? For the music that once graced the staged on Berliner Philharmoniker.On December 13th at the Qingdao People’s Hall when bushes and trees were still covered in white after a brief snow fall the previous day, several Chinese classics were revisited by the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.On the podium was Yan Huichang, artistic director and chief conductor for life of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. In his Qingdao Symphony debut, he revived three Chinese classics to the audience including Sisters of the Grassland, the pipa concerto by Wu Zuqiang. It was the same piece that was introduced to the German public when Huang Yijun made his conducting debut with Berliner Philharmoniker in January 1981 with pipa master Liu Dehai.Yan was joined by pipa master Zhang Qiang.Here’s a glimpse into the concert. Filmed on December 13th. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com