Join Theatre YOUNG and the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra on the Lantern Festival in 2025 for the Rejoice & Reunion concert, an immersive experience that spans the past and present, showcasing the seamless integration of traditional and modern elements!

This eclectic Shanghai-style traditional music event not only embodies the festive spirit of bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new, but also conveys the joy of reunion and celebration, concluding the orchestra's 2024-2025 season on a high note. It promises an enchanting musical journey that will resonate with the theme of joy, harmony, and reunion for the upcoming year.

Joyful Song (String and Pipe Ensemble)

Jiangnan String and Pipe

One of the eight masterpieces of Jiangnan String and Pipe, Joyful Song is known for its lively, passionate melody and vocal-like quality, showing the festive joy experienced during festive celebrations.

Charm of Jiangnan (Bamboo Flute, Erhu, Guzheng, and Orchestra)

Arranged by: Gu Guanren

Bamboo Flute Performer: Zhao Yunmeng

Erhu Performer: Dong Shiluan

Guzheng Performer: Lu Shasha

Composed in 2001, this piece artfully merges the well-known Jiangnan tune Joyful Song with the Jiangsu folk melody Pulling out a Reed Catkin, infusing the piece with the distinctive essence of Jiangnan and painting a vivid picture of the region's water town customs and practices.

Close to the Moon (Erhu and Orchestra)

Composer: Liu Chang

Erhu Performer: Lu Lu

Composed in 2016, this piece was inspired by the composer's visit to He Garden of Yangzhou's Slender West Lake, in the midsummer of 2014. The sight of Jinyue (Close to the Moon) Pavilion with the new moon of the summer night sparked a depressed reflection—being closer to the sun but feeling distant from old friends—which became the central theme of the composition.

Wishes (Pipa and Orchestra)

Composer: Yu Bing

Arranged by: Wang Yunfei

Pipa Performer: Yu Bing

Composed in 2022, this piece captures the essence of modern urban life where mutual care and support among people provide the strength to confront challenges and the aspiration to live life positively. It conveys a deep longing for a world filled with warmth and harmony.

Carnival Dance (Traditional Orchestra)

Composer: Liu Changyuan

Commissioned by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra in 2013, this piece fuses the vibrant dance music of the Western Regions with the infectious rhythm and emotional depth of South American tango. The composition is structured in three sections, painting a vivid picture of a grand festival filled with joyous dancing and collective celebration.

Ease (Zhongruan and Orchestra)

Composer: Li Yuejin

Zhongruan Performer: Li Lin

Composed in 2017, Ease embodies three levels of meaning. Inspired by poetic verses such as "Ease like flying flowers is light as dreams, boundless silk rain is fine as sorrows", "Inside and out, as well as in between, all is clear and unobstructed. Therefore, in the midst of the sun's light, I speak to you of freedom and ease", "Ease in precepts, ease in divine powers; ease in wisdom, ease in insight", the composer conveys a desire for an ideal state of mind through the rich, warm tones of zhongruan, suggesting a nonchalant grace and a detached perspective on the world's affairs.

Green Longing (Traditional Orchestra)

Composer: Li Bochan

Composed in 2019, this piece articulates the composer's yearning for grand landscapes, bygone days, and a loved one far away. The piece carries this longing through a melody that is both pure and enduring, reaching into the eternal realms of the soul.

Dragon Soaring in the East (Percussion and Orchestra)

Composer: Liu Changyuan

Percussion Performers: Wang Yinrui, Jiang Yuanqing, Hu Jiaxian

Composed in 2010, this vibrant piece captures the spirited scene of dragons soaring and drums resounding, with rapid tempo changes and rhythmic shifts that create a dynamic musical energy. The incorporation of the Jiangsu folk song Jasmine Flower adds an elegant and dignified quality to the piece.

Event Details

Rejoice & Reunion

Closing Concert of the 2024-2025 Season

Date: 19:30 February 12, 2025

Venue: Theatre YOUNG · Main Stage (1155 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District)

Duration: 75 minutes (including intermission)

Ticket Prices: ¥100/180/280/380/580

Early Bird Special: Enjoy a 25% discount on tickets priced at RMB 380 and 580. For the same show, receive a 15% discount on two tickets priced at RMB 280.

Conductors

Yao Shenshen

As a resident conductor of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and Deputy Secretary-General of the Conducting Committee of the China Nationalities Orchestra Society, Yao Shenshen is also a visiting associate professor at Tongji University and the Music College of Shanghai Normal University. He has previously held positions as the assistant conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and conductor of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra, and has been invited as a guest conductor by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestras and the Macao Chinese Orchestra. A bronze medalist in the 2nd Hong Kong International Chinese Music Conducting Competition, He is not only an active conductor on the international stage, but also a distinguished alumnus of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, with expertise in both conducting and erhu.

Throughout his time as a conductor of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Yao has successfully presented dozens of classic original Chinese orchestral concerts, such as Shanghai Resonance, Red Fire Chinese New Year, Harmony across the Seas, and Pillars of the Art: Night of Concertmasters. In 2018, he served as an executive director for New Oriental Chinese Music Scene at the 46th International Cervantino Festival, earning international acclaim. He was involved in the entire creative process, from music composition and rehearsals to conducting the orchestra in their 2018 original work A Common Home. In 2019, he led the concert version of New Oriental Chinese Music Scene on its international tour of seven cities, which included performances at the 8th St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, the Chiangmai Ginastera International Music Festival in Thailand, and the Chinese New Year Concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the U.S., earning high acclaim. In 2020, he conducted the premieres of The Forbidden City, Sharing the Waters of Rivers, and in 2021, Magnificent China, among other major original works, all of which were widely acclaimed. In the same year, he also served as the music coordinator and rehearsal conductor for the live Chinese music event New Oriental Chinese Music Scene. With years of stage experience, he has developed a conducting style that is both precise and adaptable, demonstrating a clear understanding of the orchestra's overall structure and the intricate details of each section, along with significant stage perception and expressiveness.

Peng Fei

A resident conductor of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and a Ph.D. in philosophy, Peng Fei was nurtured in a family of musicians and learned music at the knee of her grandfather, the conductor Xiong Jihua. After earning dual bachelor's degrees in piano and conducting from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music and teaching there, she advanced her studies at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under the renowned conductor Prof. Zhang Guoyong, obtaining a Master of Arts. During her time in Shanghai, she was also mentored by her great-uncle, conductor Prof. Huang Xiaotong, and learned from esteemed contemporary conductors such as Prof. Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Prof. Joema Panula, and Prof. Thomas Sanderling, developing a unique conducting style that has earned her recognition. She later pursued and received her Ph.D. in Philosophy from the School of Humanities, Tongji University.

Peng Fei believes that "all melodies arise from the human heart" and her collaborations with various orchestras reflect the musical landscapes of her soul. Her conducting style is an authentic expression of her inner world, characterized by a delicate feminine perspective and a strong, robust presence, adept at bringing out the musical essence of each piece with precision and sensitivity. Her repertoire encompasses symphonic music, traditional Chinese orchestral music, and contemporary music, and she has been honored with awards like the New Performer Award at the 31st Shanghai Spring International Music Festival.

As a resident conductor of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Peng has led successful performances of concerts such as New Oriental Chinese Music Scene, Splendid China, Shanghai Odyssey - the Bund, Pear Garden, The Blooming of the Gardenias, New Dream, New Music, and Eastern Zen. She also conducted the premiere of a piece that won the gold award at the Collection of Chinese Traditional Chamber Music Works for Seeking for the Music of China - The 6th Liu Tianhua Awards for Chinese Chamber Music. In addition to her resident position, she has guest conducted with numerous orchestras, including the Shanghai Opera House Symphony Orchestra, Qingdao Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of China, Sichuan Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Sichuan Conservatory of Music Chinese Orchestra, Wang Kwong Chinese Orchestra, China National Traditional Orchestra, Shandong Chinese Orchestra, Taipei Chinese Orchestra, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra, Zhuhai Chinese Orchestra, Zhejiang Chinese Orchestra, Macao Chinese Orchestra, and Wuxi Chinese Orchestra.

Performers

Yu Bing (Pipa)

As the lead pipa player of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and a nationally recognized first-class performer, Yu Bing was born into a musical family, beginning his pipa journey at the age of six. He studied under esteemed teachers including He Shufeng, He Shuying, Dong Ya, Zhang Zupei, and Zhou Lijuan, and he is an alumna of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's affiliated elementary school, middle school, and the conservatory itself. He is known for his robust performance skills, expressive depth, and a captivating personal style. He won the second prize in the "Tianhua Cup" National Youth Pipa Competition. He has been ambitious in pursuing cross-disciplinary collaborations. In 2017, his work in the music theater piece Overlord earned him a commission from the 19th China Shanghai International Arts Festival's "Rising Artists' Works Program", and he has since been invited to perform in New York and Hong Kong. In 2021, he triumphed with his "Yu Bing • Love" Chinese Music Innovation and Heritage Concert. His international tours with the orchestra have included performances in major concert halls across Europe, Russia, and the U.S., such as the Berliner Philharmoniker Concert Hall, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, and St. Petersburg State Capella. He has also been a featured artist in the "Setting Sail 2020, 2021 - CCTV New Year's Eve Gala" for two years running, winning the hearts and acclaim of audiences worldwide.

Wang Yinrui (Percussion)

As the lead percussionist of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and a nationally recognized first-class performer, Wang Yinrui also holds significant positions such as a member of the CPPCC Shanghai Municipal Committee, a council member of the China Nationalities Orchestra Society, an executive council member of the Traditional Percussion Committee of the China Musicians Association, and Deputy Director of the Percussion Committee of the Shanghai Musicians Association. He was a student of Prof. Yang Ruwen in percussion. His accolades include the first prize in the National Music Art Colleges and Universities Percussion Ensemble Performance Competition in 2008, the Best Actor Award at the 4th National Minority Literature and Art Performance in 2012, the Shanghai Outstanding Literary and Art Worker Award in the same year, the Shanghai Youth May Fourth Medal in 2018, and selection for the "Youth Literary and Artistic Talents Training Program" of the 7th Shanghai Literary and Art Prize in 2019. His work Struggle • Integration earned the Excellent Work Award in the Shanghai Stage Art Works Selection and Exhibition (Small Productions) in 2020. Known for his spirited and uninhibited playing style, he showcases a blend of solid technical foundations with a rich palette of musical expressions, demonstrating a distinctive personal flair and captivating stage presence.

Zhao Yunmeng (Dizi)

As a dizi and xiao (flute) player with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and a member of the Shanghai Musicians Association, Zhao Yunmeng also serves as a council member of the Pan Flute Art Institute under the Bamboo Flute Society of the Chinese Musicians Association. She has garnered significant recognition, including the Gold Award in the Professional Youth Category at the 4th China Wuxi International Flute Festival in 2018, the Gold Award for Bamboo Flute in the Adult Professional Category at the 2018 Xihu International Youth Music Festival - Chinese Instrument Art Festival, and the New Talent Award at the 2023 Shanghai Stage Art Works Selection and Exhibition (Small Productions).

Enrolled by the Central Conservatory of Music in 2012, Zhao studied under esteemed dizi virtuoso and educator Prof. Dai Ya, as well as Mr. Hou Changqing, the principal dizi player and a national first-class performer at the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra. She was regularly featured on CCTV's Splendor of Chinese Music program; and is a multi-time recipient of the "Outstanding Individual" award from the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.

Since joining the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Zhao has participated in and performed solos for several major productions, including New Oriental Chinese Music Scene and Magnificent China. Her international tours with the orchestra have taken her to prestigious venues around the world, including at the Barbican in the UK, the Philharmonie de Paris in France, the Berliner Philharmoniker Concert Hall in Germany, and the Lincoln Center in the U.S., where her performances have been met with critical acclaim.

Lu Shasha (Guzheng)

A renowned guzheng player at the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Lu Shasha is also an alumna of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she earned her Master's degree in Guzheng performance and her Bachelor's degree in Composition. Since the age of 17, she has garnered multiple prestigious awards, including the Excellence Award and the "Golden Bell Star" Most Popular Performer Award at the China Golden Bell Award for Music Guzheng Competition for four consecutive editions; the Excellent Performance Award from the Ministry of Culture's Wenhua Art College Guzheng Competition; Silver Awards at the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival Guzheng Competition and the Dunhuang Cup International Guzheng Competition; and the "Hanya Cup" Best Performance Award for Traditional and Folk Style Guzheng Works. She has been a soloist for the guzheng concerto Butterfly Lovers and has received high praise from the renowned musician He Zhanhao, who commended her comprehensive skills, beautiful tone, and emotional expressiveness, recognizing her as a promising young guzheng player. She has also been invited to record a CD for the Selected Works of He Zhanhao. Since joining the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, she has been a featured soloist in numerous large-scale concerts, including the orchestra's original works such as Magnificent China, New Oriental Chinese Music Scene, and The Blooming of the Gardenias, and has toured with the orchestra to various countries worldwide. In 2015, she successfully presented her solo concert Dazzling Guzheng - Lu Shasha Guzheng Recital at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. She has performed as a soloist in over 100 shows of the orchestra's original Chinese style music event New Oriental Chinese Music Scene, earning critical acclaim and audience admiration!

Lu Lu (Erhu)

As an erhu player with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and a recipient of the Shanghai May Fourth Medal, Lu Lu is also a member of the Shanghai Musicians Association and holds a Master of Arts from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Known for her sophisticated and agile playing techniques, she excels at uncovering the profound essence of musical compositions and employs a rich array of expressive methods. Her stage presence is characterized by a calm yet fervent style, epitomizing the grace of contemporary young traditional instrumentalists. She has been a soloist in significant orchestral endeavors such as New Oriental Chinese Music Scene and Magnificent China. In 2019, her String Song • Heart Path personal concert, which was part of the "Brilliant Youth Female Musicians" initiative supported by the Shanghai Literary and Artistic Talents Fund, was successfully performed at the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall. Her performances have been acclaimed across various countries and regions in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Notable premieres include Heavenly Mountain Qilian, Sigh at the Fall of Flowers - for Erhu and Piano, Dance of String, Splendor of Ink, Strings of the Pear Garden, Rhapsody of the Three Gorges, and Zero • One: The Hues of China - Lavender Grace. Her accolades include the Gold Award in the Professional Category A at the 2nd Hong Kong International Huqin Competition, the Excellent Performance Award in the traditional music competition of the 9th China Golden Bell Award for Music, the Gold Award in the erhu competition of the 32nd Shanghai Spring International Music Festival, and in 2017, she received the "New Talent Award" and "Excellent Work Award" in the Shanghai Stage Art Works Selection and Exhibition.

Li Lin (Liuqin and Zhongruan)

An accomplished performer with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Li Lin specializes in both liuqin and zhongruan, and serves as a council member of the Traditional Orchestral Music Committee of the Shanghai Musicians Association. She began her musical journey by studying under Prof. Wu Qiang at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she later attended the affiliated elementary and middle schools, and was admitted by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music with the highest score. During her studies, she was part of an ensemble that won the Gold Award in the "Traditional Ensemble Category" at the 2007 CCTV Traditional Instrumental Music Television Contest, as well as the Wenhua Art School Award for the 4th National Youth Traditional Chinese Instrument Performance Competition for Small Ensembles. As a soloist, she has premiered concertos including Lord in the Clouds and Sunny Snow of Helan, and has taken the lead in significant concerts such as A Common Home, New Oriental Chinese Music Scene, The Blooming of the Gardenias, Winter Rainbow, and Moon Shadow. Her liuqin performances are noted for their clarity, transparency, and delicacy, combined with a warm and vibrant expressiveness. Her mastery of techniques such as fast long rolling, vibrato, and harmonics is particularly impressive, and the crisp, pure high notes she produces are a beautiful testament to the unique tonal qualities of liuqin.

Jiang Yuanqing (Percussion)

A percussionist with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Jiang Yuanqing is an alumnus of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and has achieved notable success in the 3rd National Youth Percussion Competition, winning the first place in the professional youth division's snare drum category and the second prize in the division.

His versatile performance style encompasses a wide range of modern and contemporary percussion pieces, and he is adept at playing multiple Chinese and Western percussion instruments. His performances span solo, chamber, and ensemble settings, and he is known for his extensive collaborations and cross-cultural exchanges with various musical styles and traditional instruments. His playing is characterized by its stability and proficiency, with a solid technical foundation. He has contributed to recordings for the World Expo series and has been involved in a diverse array of music genres, including opera, traditional music, symphony, opera, chamber music, and pop songs. Since joining the orchestra, he has toured with the group to numerous countries and regions, delivering exceptional performances in major original productions such as A Common Home, and New Oriental Chinese Music Scene. He has also been a key performer in Zero • One: The Hues of China - Lavender Grace, Above the Clouds - Embarking on an Auditory Journey from the Orient, The Blooming of the Gardenias, and Winter Rainbow.

Hu Jiaqian (Percussion)

Hu Jiaqian, a percussionist with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, holds a Master's degree in Modern Instrumental and Percussion from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and serves as a council member of the International Percussion Education Association (IPEA). She has garnered numerous accolades, including the "New Talent Award" at the 2020 Shanghai Stage Art Works Selection (Small Productions); the Gold Award in the World Percussion category for the youth group at the "1st Japan International Percussion Competition"; the Gold Award for solo performance in the adult group in traditional percussion at the 2018 2nd PAS • China International Percussion Art Festival; and first place in the professional youth group for traditional percussion ensembles at the 13th National Youth Percussion Competition. She premiered Colorful Clouds, a composition for yueqin, marimba, and orchestra, during the Splendid China • Sharing the Waters of Rivers concert at the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival. Her collaborative percussion duo piece, Struggle • Integration, received the "Excellent Work Award" at the 2020 Shanghai Stage Art Works Selection and Exhibition (Small Productions), awarded by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. She has also participated in international tours with the orchestra and has been invited to perform in Tan Dun's works Twelve Sounds of Wuhan and Water Heavens, as well as the ensemble piece Uneven Souls by IPEA.

Dong Shiluan (Erhu)

An erhu player with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Dong Shiluan holds a Master's degree from the Central Conservatory of Music, where she was mentored by Prof. Yan Jiemin. She has garnered significant recognition, including the top prize in the small traditional instrument ensemble category at the 6th Wenhua Award in 2017 and a first-class graduate scholarship from the Central Conservatory of Music. She was also a member of the "Shengfeng" Chamber Music Ensemble at her alma mater. Her international engagements include cultural exchange in New Zealand and performances at the "Belt and Road Music Heritage" International Youth Music Festival in Macao. Since joining the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, she has taken on lead roles in key performances like Standing Out and Magnificent China, earning high acclaim for her contributions.

Orchestra Profile

Founded in 1952, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra is a pioneer among modern large Chinese orchestras, renowned for its distinctive musical style and superb artistry. It has been a pivotal force in the evolution of Chinese traditional music, nurturing a roster of distinguished artists who have left an indelible mark on the genre, including Zhang Ziqian, Lu Chunling, Sun Yude, Gu Guanren, Min Huifen, Yu Xunfa, and Gong Yi.

The orchestra embodies the essence of Shanghai's cultural flair and continues the legacy of its predecessors. From generation to generation, artists of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra have enriched Shanghai-style traditional music with acclaimed productions such as Fisherman's Song of the East Sea and Asia-Africa-Latin America Special Concert.

The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra has grown into a comprehensive large-scale Chinese orchestra with a complete ensemble of strings, plucked instruments, winds, and percussion. Since initiating a professional performance season in 2005, the orchestra has created a repertoire of contemporary classics and signature projects. Committed to the dissemination of Chinese traditional music, the orchestra has also presented numerous public welfare performances. The orchestra's musicians have left their marks across China and in several countries globally, earning the accolade of "The Most Elegant Chinese Orchestra".

In recent years, the orchestra has been committed to promoting the innovative development of Chinese traditional music, embracing a philosophy of "traditional music with a contemporary flair and international reach". It tirelessly seeks to infuse contemporary relevance into Shanghai-style traditional music, integrating the essence of Chinese spirit, values, and the temperament of the times into productions. This has led to the creation of a spectrum of original works that are diverse in style and theme, such as New Oriental Chinese Music Scene, A Common Home, Magnificent China, The Bund, The Blooming of the Gardenias, and The Concerts of Poetry, Literature and Painting in Chinese Music, establishing a new era brand for Shanghai-style traditional music. These works have been featured in prestigious events like the opening and closing ceremonies of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival and the Silk Road International Arts Festival, as well as in special performances to commemorate diplomatic relations, contributing to cultural diplomacy and exchanges. They have also toured internationally, earning acclaim from audiences in countries including the UK, France, Germany, the U.S., Russia, and Mexico.

Looking ahead, the orchestra will continue to rejuvenate Chinese traditional music, presenting it with an open, inclusive, and contemporary voice of the nation that embodies the spirit of the times. We anticipate warm encounters with music aficionados worldwide, journeying together, and enhancing life and strength through Shanghai-style traditional music.