PARIS—Parisians continue to enthusiastically respond to Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour when it once again took the stage at the Palais de Congres des Paris on Sunday. In the appreciative audience was Touve Ratovondrahety, pianist for the Paris Opera House.
“First and foremost I was astonished and surprised. I learned a lot this evening. I am a musician, a pianist for the Ballet Opera House of Paris. I am therefore in touch with dance everyday. I saw a sacred difference here in how to go about things,” said Mr. Ratovondrahety.
A highly accomplished musician, Mr. Ratovondrahety not only performs for the Opera House, he is a tenured organist for an organ that is considered a historic monument in a Paris church. He has also given solo piano concertos and is regularly commissioned to compose original music for popular shows, orchestras, and video games.
“The most beautiful moment I experienced this evening, where I was deeply moved, was with the performance number, the piano with the traditional [Chinese] instrument [the erhu]. I caught my breath. I dared not even breathe. It was very, very beautiful.”
Mr. Ratovondrahety was referring to the erhu piece, called “Hope.” The erhu is a two-stringed Chinese instrument known for its melancholic and hauntingly beautiful sound.
Blending the strength and vigor of Western wind and string instruments with the delicate sounds of traditional Chinese instruments, the Shen Yun orchestra produces a unique and stirring sound. Featuring original compositions and arrangements, the music is a worthy companion to the graceful moves of the dancers.
“In relation to the music overall, what I first noticed is that the music itself was formless. I was astonished. There is a rhythm. However, we do not hear what is most prevalent here in the West, for example, boom, boom, boom [the beat]. There was nothing of that sort here. I reflected upon this, and I told myself, ‘There is no violence here whatsoever, even though there are scenes of war, even though there are scenes of torture in the dance performances. There is no violence whatsoever.’ I was very surprised by this.
“Because I am from Madagascar, I come from a culture that is somewhat different. Here in the West, we strive for what we are missing—which is to find a link with how we use movement and music in relation to spirituality. I discovered this evening that all the gestures, the musical notes, and everything had a meaning. We are invited to discover spirituality, ”Mr. Ratovondrahety said.
Strongly influenced by Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, Chinese culture had profound inner meanings. Virtues such as propriety, compassion, and loyalty were intrinsic to this ancient culture, and their essence is portrayed in the show.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
