On April 4th, the open-air theater of the Beijing Art Center was bathed in brilliant spring sunshine. The National Centre for the Performing Arts welcomed the third edition of its "Chinese Music Spring" festival with a distinctive outdoor afternoon concert performed by the Russian Osipov State模范 Youth Soloists Folk Chamber Orchestra. During the Qingming Festival holiday, a popular time for outings and enjoying the spring scenery, the young musicians from Russia met audiences in the open-air theater. With their superb performance skills and vibrant stage presence, they provided capital audiences with a delightful afternoon filled with youthful energy and Russian charm.
The concert commenced with the lively rhythms of Anatoly Lyadov's "Khorovodnaya". The open stage of the outdoor theater allowed art and the natural spring scenery to blend seamlessly, while the audience enjoyed the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of the holiday outing. "I Walked to the Little River", featuring the balalaika as the lead instrument, produced a clear timbre that seemed to add soft strands of light to the afternoon sun. Meanwhile, "Grandma's Goat" sketched a humorous and imaginative picture of Russian village life with its witty melody.
Subsequently, an adapted version of "The Song of the Volga Boatmen" infused new meaning into the profound and weighty classic, giving this traditional folk song the refined layers of chamber music. The ethereal sound of the gusli, the cheerfulness of the bayan, and the crisp tones of the xylophone were showcased in turn in the following pieces, resembling a springtime parade of Russian folk instruments. The brisk "Two-Step Dance" and the passionate "Dark-Eyed Cossack Girl" brought the atmosphere to a climax, with the audience gently responding to the rhythm and thoroughly enjoying this rare artistic outing.
The "intimacy" of this open-air concert was not only due to the companionship of the spring scenery but also stemmed from the carefully integrated Chinese elements. When the young Russian soloists jointly performed "The Silk Road", composed by Chinese composer Jiang Ying, the familiar Eastern melody was reinterpreted through Russian instruments like the balalaika and domra, creating a fascinating chemical reaction. Finally, the well-known Chinese piece "Huahao Yueyuan" (Flowers Bloom Under the Full Moon) was joyfully played, carrying a unique, gentle charm. This Chinese masterpiece, symbolizing reunion and happiness, was passionately performed under the sunlight by the visiting Russian musicians, becoming a moving symbol of the beautiful blossoming friendship between the peoples of China and Russia.
This outdoor concert broke free from the spatial constraints of a traditional concert hall, allowing high art to integrate into the public's spring leisure life in a more relaxed and approachable manner. While enjoying their Qingming Festival outings, the audience immersed themselves in an authentic Russian folk experience, feeling the vibrant vitality of art, and adding another bright and memorable touch to the third "Chinese Music Spring".
During the Qingming holiday, the Russian musical panorama of this year's "Chinese Music Spring" continued to unfold. On the evening of April 4th, "The Bells of St. Petersburg" was performed at the NCPA Concert Hall. On April 5th, the Russian Osipov State模范 Folk Orchestra presented the "Dance of the Snowstorm" concert at the Beijing Art Center Concert Hall, while the Russian Osipov State模范 Youth Soloists Folk Chamber Orchestra continued to offer their spirited performances at the Beijing Art Center's open-air theater.
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