ATLANTA—With the final trumpet for its 2015 tour less than only a week away, Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra blessed those attending, according to a concertgoer, at Atlanta’s Woodruff Arts Center on Oct. 27.
In the second last performance of the 2015 tour, with a finale in Providence, R.I., on Oct. 31, Shen Yun Orchestra’s musicians held nothing back in presenting the ensemble of East and West, offering divinely inspired gifts of sound from an ancient culture to the people of Georgia.
Rod Pires and his wife Lerma felt “blown away” by the evening’s performance.
Even having previously attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ performances, Mr. Pires welcomed this chance to hear the Chinese instruments in the symphony orchestra and was fascinated by the way they were played.
Mrs. Pires, a retired nurse added, “Awesome! Awesome! How can you miss it?”
Mr. Pires, a former security guard for U.S. Embassies and consulates now operates his own security consultant business. He noted that most entertainment cannot match what Shen Yun offers. Amazed by the players’ virtuosity he could only think to himself, ‘Oh my goodness.’”
Symphony Orchestra is indeed unlike any other orchestra. Along with its own original compositions—of which some are songs that convey deep impressions of life, the spirit, and humanity—Shen Yun notably blends the ancient, melodic sounds of traditional Chinese culture with the grandeur and breadth of a Western orchestra.
“With its vast repertoire of original compositions and celebrated classics,“ reads the company’s website, ”Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra seeks to share the beauty of these inspired musical traditions.”
Mr. Pires said he could have listened endlessly to the Chinese erhu in particular.
“Because when you hear that and you hear the music, you say to yourself, ‘How do they do that?’ I mean, it’s only a couple strings,” he said. “How are they getting all those notes? All that music—it’s amazing! We were blown away.”
Though it only has two strings, the erhu (or Chinese violin) is known for its soul-stirring melodies and ability to capture the wide range of human emotion. The instrument’s 4,000 years of history is a rich part of each Shen Yun performance.
In the end, Mr. Pires could only encourage more and more people to attend Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra. “I think people just need to know. I think the more people get exposed, the more it’s going to get out there,” he said. Because as it stands, “They don’t know what they’re missing.”
Reporting by Roland Ree and Michael Fitzgerald
The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra finishes its tour on Oct. 31 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence. For information about the orchestra’s October performances, visit ShenYun.com/Symphony
New York-based Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra comprises musicians from the four Shen Yun Performing Arts touring companies. Shen Yun Performing Arts begins its 2016 world tour on Dec. 22, 2015.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the company’s inception in 2006.
