CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Backed by 5,000 years of divine culture, classical Chinese dance, and an unsurpassed orchestra, Shen Yun Performing Arts has grown into a cultural phenomenon that can’t be missed.
For David Tang, his experience with Shen Yun at Charlotte’s Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Jan. 28, was exceptional and worth every moment.
“It’s beautiful; it’s very lovely. I think it’s great for people to see the many kinds of Chinese dance, and the music,” he said.
Mr. Tang, a conductor himself, has led a career filled with musical achievement. From 1996-2004, he was the Director of the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, the combined choruses of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. He also served as Associate Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra from 1998-2003.
For three years, Mr. Tang also led the award-winning Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, one of the most prestigious semi-professional choirs in the United States.
“I like the combination of the Eastern instrument—the Chinese instrument—and the Western orchestra,” he said. “I think it’s very tastefully done; it’s very well done.”
Shen Yun’s orchestra combines two of the very best musical traditions: the beauty and distinctiveness of Chinese music with the grandeur of the Western orchestration. “The result—two great traditions producing one refreshing sound,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
“The Western instrument [s] are generally ... louder, but the way they have the microphone on the Chinese instruments makes them very balanced,” added Mr. Tang.
He noted that the special arrangement, including “the use the oboe and erhu together“ produces a ”very nice sound combination. I think it’s a great demonstration of the coming together.”
However, despite the auditory delightfulness of the production, Mr. Tang admitted that “because here where we live, there is no pipa, erhu,” such an arrangement could never take place in his own orchestras.
Mr. Tang also feels that the inclusion of more ethnic sounds centered upon Western orchestration is the path of music of the future. “I think this kind of music is becoming more and more popular,” he said. “And so I think it’s very important.”
Having experienced the entire performance, Mr. Tang characterized the breadth of Shen Yun’s music most simply yet profoundly as “this music that’s beautiful and touches your heart.”
With reporting by Michael Fitzgerald
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
