Chamber Ensemble of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra at Rackham Auditorium, U-M

The University Musical Society presents the Chamber Ensemble of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra at Ann Arbor’s Rackham Auditorium on Friday, February 10.

Under the artistic direction of Wang Fujian, the 20 members of the Chamber Ensemble of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra are drawn from the first large-scale modern orchestra of traditional instruments in China. Performing on the zheng, dizi, erhu, pipa, and other Chinese instruments seldom featured in the West, the ensemble provides a window into the traditional, centuries-old classical music of China.

The UMS program is comprised of nine pieces which conjure up poetic images of gallant warriors from the past, a foggy spring morning after a night of rain, and the happy days of childhood.

Founded in 1952, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra is the first large-scale modern Chinese orchestra in China. Based in Shanghai, the ensemble’s repertoire includes both large-scale Chinese orchestral works and smaller-scale traditional compositions that feature stringed and wind instrumental pieces; Cantonese music; plucked-strings instrumental ensemble; and percussion instrumental ensembles. In addition to performing traditional compositions, the ensemble is actively engaged in creating original compositions, adding further richness and depth to their repertoire. The orchestra’s original compositions have won awards in the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival and Shanghai International Art.

The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra has performed in more than 80 cities in China and also toured to more than 30 countries and regions in the world. Renowned for their exemplary musicianship, the orchestra often performs for visiting foreign presidents and statesmen to China.

In addition, the group is frequently invited to perform for major activities at home and abroad, such as the 2006 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit; the ASEAN Summit; the 2007 Special Olympic Games; the 2008 and 2010 Shanghai National Day Concert; and the 2010 Shanghai EXPO Week.

Professor Wang Fujian is the Vice Chairman of the Conducting Department of Central Conservatory of Music, and the Resident Conductor and Artistic Director of the Youth Chinese Music Orchestra. He is also the artistic director of Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.

In 1985, Wang pioneered the development of traditional Chinese music when he led China’s National Youth Orchestra of the Central Conservatory of Music in a concert that featured contemporary musical repertoire alongside traditional Chinese music.

Wang has led the Youth Orchestra to attend many international music festivals and academic exchanges in Asia and Europe. Wang has conducted symphonies by famous Chinese composers such as Tan Dun, Qu Xiaosong, and He Xuntian. Wang has also conducted the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra, and Taipei Municipal Chinese Orchestra.

As the director of Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Wang led the Orchestra to a new era. The Orchestra had its first concert season under his baton in 2006; the Chamber Ensemble of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra continues to tour throughout the world