THE Guangxi Symphony Orchestra put on a world-class performance to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Malaysia and China diplomatic relations at the Dewan Sri Pinang.
Concert buffs were enthralled by the symphony concert of ‘Maritime Silk Road Legend’ (Konsert Legenda Laluan Sutera Maritim) as the well-known Guangxi ensemble, under the baton of Tao Lin, concluded their Tour of Malaysia on a highly successful note.
Penang was their third and last stop on July 20 after having performed in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu to appreciative audiences.
While the orchestra has been highly praised by masters and experts for its devotion to music and teamwork, there was no doubt that Malaysian-born Claudia Yang was the star of the night.
The 80-member orchestra started off with an overture of P. Ramlee Medley (arranged by Lukman Aziz), and then followed up with Symphonic Fantasia ‘The Third Sister Liu’ – A Mountain Song Fairy (composed by Ming Xin Du) and L’ Arlesienne Suite No. 2 (composed by George Bizet).
Then, came a 15-minute intermission before Yang made her appearance. Famous for her ‘Dream of Red Chamber’ piano concerto, Yang mesmerised the audience with the ease she ran her fingers on the piano keys when delivering ‘Fairy in Sorrow’, ‘Love Ode’, ‘Dream in Vanity’ and ‘Beauty’s Ballade’. They are four of the many chapters from the classic Chinese novel.
The ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ (2018 version) was composed by Yang herself and Hungarian Gyula Fekete.
The crowd responded with rapturous applause while Yang bowed her head in acknowledgement and flashed her infectious smiles.
To cap a brilliant performance, Yang played ‘Getaran Jiwa’ by P. Ramlee with her heart and soul. It was a night concert fans will remember for a long time.
“I feel very, very much warmly welcomed by our Malaysian friends, and I am also very proud because I am Warga Malaysia and Anak Malaysia,” said Yang, who lives in Beijing with her husband, Yang Lingyang, a Chinese businessman.
“I think it’s my mission to bring more cultural exchange programmes between the two countries and people to people so that the young generation will know each other more.
“I’m a ‘Hokkien lang’ from Muar and I know Penang has a lot of Hokkien people. It’s my privilege to be here and I think this hall has wonderful acoustics. I have a really wonderful impression. I wish to come back more often to perform and share my music experience with the young generation here and to encourage them to really pursue their dream.
“I listen to many, many Malay songs. We have lovely folk songs. I started to improvise this piece (Getaran Jiwa), a very touching song. Of course, we have ‘Rasa Sayang’, ‘Chan Mali Chan’ and I also play that, but ‘Getaran Jiwa’ really brings people to deeper memory, like my generation.”
The couple has twin daughters, Yang Zhi and Yang Hui, and the 20-year-olds are now studying fine arts in Central Saint Martins in London.
Yang, who took up piano at the age of five, flew to Vienna at age 17 to pursue her dream of becoming an internationally-renowned pianist.
She studied under great pianists including Dianko Iliew, Paul Badura-Skoda and Ludwig Hoffman at the University of Music & Performing Arts where she graduated as the joint best pianist in 1997. The following year, she went to study under Orysia Sterniuk in Ukraine.
She has collaborated with several international orchestras in London, Prague, Slovakia, Moscow, Venezuela, China, Kazakhstan, Vienna, the Philippines and Malaysia. She has also worked with many renowned conductors such as Lorin Maazel, Muhai Tang, Betrand De Billy, Rastislav Stur, Robertas Servenikas, Carlo Ponti, Stefan Vladar, Olivier Ochanine and Diego Matheuz.
Penang Symphony Society vice-president Chuah Boon Yew, like many, was very impressed by the performance of Yang and the Guangxi Symphony Orchestra.
“Hearing her play ‘Getaran Jiwa’, truthfully it is one of the best interpretations personally to me, my wife and my friends,” Chuah said.
“In fact, it is rare we have a Malaysian who has gone to an international level come back to play for us. Rarely do we have Malaysians who have reached that level and are enthusiastic to come home and perform. One I can name is Dennis Lee who has been residing in London for many years and another is Datuk Seri Ooi Chien See, who is among the audience.
“Yang composed part of the ‘Dream of Red Chamber’ and she herself performed, so what comes out of it is her own.”
On the orchestra, Chuah said they have managed to bring out the Malay taste from the medley of P. Ramlee song.
“These mainland Chinese may not have heard of P. Ramlee or seen his movies, yet they are able to bring out the taste, especially the ‘Bujang Lapok’ part. They are able to give a good reflection of P. Ramlee’s taste despite living so far from us.
“The second piece, Liu San Cheh (The third Sister Liu), is actually a classic in Guangxi and very well brought out. It represents Guangxi which is known for its gorgeous natural beauty, scenic mountains and caves like in Guilin.
“There are no wrong notes when the orchestra played the third song (L’ Arelesienne Suite No. 2). When we look at the first three songs, they represent different cultures – the Malaysian culture, the Chinese culture and the Western culture. In short, this orchestra is versatile.”
State executive councillor for Youth and Sports Soon Lip Chee, who represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who was on a working trip to Tokyo, said through the forging of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China since 1974, the two countries have worked together for development and prosperity.
Even Penang, he said, has close ties with ‘Sister City’ Xiamen since 1993 and ‘Friendship City’ with Zhongshan, Sanya, Chengdu and Hainan.
“The close relationships bring benefits to the development of economy, culture, tourism and others. Hence, we want to build on the solid foundation to create more opportunities and cooperation with China in terms of economy and cultural development so that people from both countries can enjoy prosperity,” Soon said in his speech.
“I would like to thank the Consulate General of China in Penang for their effort to make this concert a success. Through music and the concert, we hope to have a deeper understanding of our respective culture and music to raise the friendship between Malaysia and China.”
Chinese consul-general to Penang Lu Shiwei said the 45 years of diplomatic relations have brought a lot of economic advantages to both countries.
“We have also developed a good cultural exchange. We have brought the orchestra to further enhance cultural exchange between the two countries,” Lu said in his speech.
Also present were One Belt One Road Association Malaysia president Datuk Iskandar Sarudin, senator Lim Hui Ying, Penang Chinese Town Hall president Datuk Seri Khor Teng Haw, Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Datuk Seri Hong Yeam Wah, PCCC life honorary president Tan Sri Tan Kok Pin and PCCC executive adviser Datuk Seri Choot Ewe Seng.
Story by K.H. Ong