Reed Strutzenberg enjoyed Shen Yun at the Rosemont Theatre, in Rosemont, with his family on March 16, 2024. (Stacey Tang/The Epoch Times)
ROSEMONT, Ill.—Reed and Sharon Strutzenberg had hosted five Chinese exchange students at their home over the years and knew something about how the country had lost its connection to traditional culture under the current communist regime. On March 14, they brought their grandchildren with them to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Rosemont Theatre, sharing with them the depth of 5,000 years of culture.
“I tried to explain to them that the [Chinese Communist] Party has done everything in their power to destroy memories of the culture, and that’s part of the Marxist thing that they do,“ said Mr. Strutzenberg, gesturing to his grandchildren. ”And that’s why it’s so wonderful that [Shen Yun artists] are continuing the traditions and the culture from, what, 5,000 years ago. It’s a wonderful thing.”
To those artists, he wanted to extend his gratitude. “God bless you,” he said.
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company and aims to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. The current communist regime has only been in power for less than a century, since 1949, and what Shen Yun presents is “China before communism” through music and dance.
Mr. Strutzenberg is a retired percussionist and bass player, and having performed in orchestras for many years, he was surprised and amazed by the sound of Shen Yun’s orchestra.
“I thought it was wonderful how, at the right times, it was the Chinese instruments that were accentuated, and at other times, the full orchestra came in with brass and strings,” he said. “Just heavenly to listen to. Very, very much fun.”
Shen Yun’s orchestra is the only one of its kind in the world, combining Chinese instruments as permanent members of an otherwise familiar classical orchestra. Instruments like the two-stringed erhu and pipa, the Chinese lute, add an irreplicable sound to the ensemble, while even the strings and brass carry Chinese melodies in the all-original compositions.
“The music was original, and I love creativity, and I love originality. And at my age, it’s something that I really appreciate,” Mr. Strutzenberg said. “These folks are just exuding creativity all over the place.”
“From the downbeat at the beginning till the end, it was just wonderful.”
Also enjoying the music that afternoon was Greg Prestipino, who teaches sociology at Loyola University, and Mary Prestipino, who teaches music to grade school students.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous, and then to have the traditional instrument come out and play solo was really fantastic,” said Mrs. Prestipino.
Mary and Greg Prestipino at Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Rosemont Theatre, in Rosemont, on March 16, 2024. (Sherry Dong/The Epoch Times)
The Prestipinos had seen Shen Yun four years ago, right before the pandemic lockdowns, and were excited to see it again. Mrs. Prestipino said the music carried a range of emotions, and dancers told stories through movement. Mr. Prestipino said the message he took from that afternoon’s experience was a meaningful one.
“It’s just the inner self, the core, and faith, and how we’re following our faith. It’s beautiful,” he said. “It just reexamines who we are, our inner self, and what guides us.”
“That is what leads us, and to help others as well, and music is just a way of expression,” he said. “It’s our belief of where we’re grounded in. I'll use the word Creator, and it’s the expression through music and dance.”
