Music concert – The Elegant East
During two evenings, visitors of the China Cultural Center in Brussels were transported into ancient China by the Shanghai National Orchestra.
On June 3 and 6, the China Cultural Center in Brussels offered to its visitors a moment of exquisite Chinese classical music with the concert “The Elegant East”, in collaboration with the Center of International Cultural Exchanges and the Shanghai National Orchestra.
Founded in 1952, the Shanghai National Orchestra is the biggest modern Chinese orchestra in China. It plays a fundamental role in the history of Chinese music by mixing up traditional and contemporary Chinese music. The Orchestra is mainly known in China, but also in Europe, where it went on a tour in 20 European countries during the 2015 Chinese New Year period. It was a great honour for the China Cultural Center to welcome the Shanghai National Orchestra for two performances in June 2016.
The audience was carried away to China during the evening, and enjoyed the songs and tunes performed by traditional instruments, such as pipa, guqin, liuqin, bamboo flutes and many others. The talent of the musicians was acclaimed by distinguished guests such as Mr. He Yonghong, Minister-Counsellor of the Mission of China to the EU, and Mr. Nijs, former Ambassador of Belgium to China.
The last song performed by the orchestra was a cover of “Ne me quitte pas”, originally performed by Jacques Brel. After this warm tribute to the immense Belgian artist, the musicians and performers left the stage with a round of applause from the delighted audience.
