Musicians from Shanghai and Qinghai celebrated China's great rivers with a concert at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Jan. 7, highlighting the cultural heritage of these vital waterways.

Musicians stage a concert to celebrate China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The concert, themed "From the Yellow River to the Yangtze River," showcased the rich traditions associated with these vital rivers and honored the musical traditions stemming from the Sanjiangyuan area in Qinghai province — home to the headwaters of the Yellow, Yangtze and Lancang rivers.

According to the composer, the suite "Source of the Yellow River" aims to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Meanwhile, the musical piece "Ode to the Yangtze River" underscores the peaceful coexistence of various ethnic groups in China.

The performance elegantly merged Xizang's intangible cultural heritage instruments, including the dama drum, bone flute, and traditional hand drum, with the timeless elegance of the piano.

This concert, the first in China focused on the country's major rivers, was jointly organized by the People's Government of the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM) as a key initiative in the Qinghai aid program.

Since its launch in 2021, the concert has been staged in several cities across China, including Shanghai, Xining, Nanjing, Ningbo and Nanchang.

Musicians perform at a concert celebrating China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Musicians perform at a concert celebrating China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Musicians perform at a concert celebrating China's great rivers at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Jan. 7, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]