“New orchestras and concert halls are sprouting up across China, largely funded by the government, which views culture as an extension of political and economic might,” writes Corinne Ramey in Wednesday’s (10/16) Wall Street Journal. “ ‘China wants to export its culture to the world,’ said Jindong Cai, … co-author of the book ‘Rhapsody in Red: How Western Classical Music Became Chinese.’ … The latest example of exported Chinese culture happens on Thursday, when the Beijing Symphony Orchestra gives its first U.S. performance and its Carnegie Hall debut. The orchestra will perform two works by the Chinese composer Guo Wenjing and selections from Prokofiev’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ … Musicians with a foot in both the Chinese and American classical-music worlds described China as in the midst of a classical-music boom…. Even smaller cities and government departments have their own ensembles, many of which commission composers to write pieces representing particular cities or regions.… There are about 10 professional orchestras in Beijing alone, said Mr. Cai…. U.S. institutions have taken notice of the increased interest. Juilliard is building a Chinese branch, U.S. conservatories recruit aggressively in China, and Steinway views China as a growing market for its grand pianos.”
Posted October 18, 2013
