The artists from the New-York based Shen Yun Performing Arts Company have been admired at every venue during their 2009 European tour. The audience at Amsterdam’s Rai Theater responded to it warmly.
Mr. Andrissen admired everything—the songs, the dances, the music played by a live orchestra of Western and Chinese instruments, and the costumes.
“The dances, the costumes, and the music that wove through the performance were truly impressive.
“The show gives an insight into an unknown culture. One has to take the memories home and think about them, and then see what one could learn from everything one has seen.
“As a composer, I view music and choreography a little differently from the average audience member.
“I was raised in the Netherlands and during my youth exposed to only Western culture and Western arts. I must say that this is a one-sided view. I have to gain familiarity with this art and ways of telling stories.
“It has its own quality and its inner meanings. If one views it from the Asian point of view, I quickly remember my background and what I’m used to. It mirrors a unique form of art in its thoughts and expression. Modern Dutch dance is rather abstract. To express stories in this format, as it is done in this show, it is more direct and intuitive.”
He shared more of his thoughts and said that this is why what one sees during the show is a little foreign when one sees it the first time.
He thought that the Tibetan dance expressed its soul quite a bit, “If one wants to express ones’ feelings in three words, I would say ‘colorful, peaceful, and it comes from the heart.'” In Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain, young men vigorously celebrate the joys of their Himalayan home, welcoming guests with an athletic, friendly dance. They wear very long sleeves, prayer beads, and sturdy boots.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org