Under the baton of renowned Taiwan conductor Cheng Li-pin, the Suzhou Chinese Orchestra stages a concert for cross-Straits music lovers in Suzhou, Jiangsu province on March 15. [Photo/kan0512.com]
"The Amorous Taiwan concert is destined to be a charming night for cross-Straits music lovers," said Pang Kapang, conductor of the Suzhou Chinese Orchestra, in an interview before the performance on March 15.
The Suzhou orchestra invited renowned Taiwan conductor Cheng Li-pin and two Taiwan instrumentalists Wang K'ai-han and Ouyang Hsiao-i as the concert's performing artists.
To invite guest conductors is international conventions. Considering the Suzhou Chinese Orchestra has strived to be an international-standard orchestra since its establishment, it is inevitable that there is a need to invite other conductors from further afield.
Pang said that an outstanding conductor can not only enrich their music genre, but also bring more different styles to them.
"The traditional sizhu (stringed and woodwind instruments) music of Jiangnan or South China has devout fans in Taipei," said Cheng Li-pin in an interview. "The similar cultures of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are reflected through the music."
Cheng said that the sizhu music sounds really beautiful and is the most authentic Jiangnan "flavor".
He was amazed at the effect that the Suzhou orchestra produced by integrating the music with orchestral music.
"Many Taiwan spectators have come to the concert and they said that the concert has alleviated their homesickness," said Cheng.
The performance displayed various Taiwan's local customs, which may also help the Suzhou audiences know more about the island.
