A symphonic poem, Echo of the Earth Building, was staged Tuesday in Zhongshan Concert Hall in Beijing by the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zheng Xiaoying, one of China's leading woman musicians.
The troupe was specially invited here to perform on Nov. 5 and 6 for delegates to the upcoming 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
"Echo of the Earth Building" was initiated by Zheng Xiaoying and composed by Liu Yuan, who has a doctorate from the China Central Conservatory of Music. A 74-year folk song singer and musicians who perform with tree leaves were invited to join the performance.
Hakkas, or guest families literally, are people who moved from northern China to southern China in history, and now mainly live in Fujian, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Taiwan and Hainan provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The musical piece, based on Hakka folk songs, celebrates the Hakkas' respect and love for their hometown. It also won the top national prize from the Chinese Musicians' Association.
Zheng Xiaoying, a Hakka born in Yongding City of Fujian Province, premiered the musical piece in the 16th world Hakka meeting in Fujian in November 2000.
The Xiamen orchestra has performed the symphonic poem in three cities in Japan this year to mark the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties.
Founded in 1998, Xiamen Symphony Orchestra has to date staged 307 performances.
(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2002)
