Shanghai has invited eight French composers to a competition to
compose distinctive music for this largest metropolis of China.
They will use Chinese instruments and familiar Chinese melodies,
including "The Jasmine Flower".
The organizing committee of the Shanghai Spring Music Festival
on Wednesday launched the competition called "Presences China."
The French composers invited are touring the city, learning
about Chinese music and selecting two or three traditional
instruments for their compositions.
"Shanghai is a stunning city and I've had lots of inspirations
during my trip," French composer Bernard Cavanna was quoted by the
local Shanghai Daily as saying.
The compositions will be played in a concert during the Shanghai
Music Festival next year. Local residents will choose the three
most popular pieces, which will be performed during the Festival
Presences in France in 2008.
Famous Chinese composer Chen Qigang, artistic director of the
competition, said the competition would help promote Chinese music
throughout the world.
"We've long forgotten the charm of traditional Chinese music and
the match will also arouse Chinese passion for our own music," Chen
was quoted as saying.
He said judges would not include experts because it's important
to create music pleasing to ordinary Chinese.
More than 40 French composers applied for the competition, but
only eight were chosen to visit.
(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2006)
