Before the formal performance, an orchestra member shared concert etiquette with the students. For many students, this may have been their first time attending a concert. Learning about concert etiquette and how to listen to music can improve their listening skills and enhance their overall concert experience.
We were wonderfully surprised that the musicians actually sat among the students. As they explained their instruments, the atmosphere of the entire audience became warmer and more intimate. Students were able to gain a deeper understanding of the instruments and even interact with the musicians.
Let us now embark on a musical journey together through time and space! This concert showcased the diverse musical cultures of four different countries.
Initially, we arrived in Austria, where we were introduced to the father of string quartets, Haydn, who had a tremendous impact on classical music. Mozart, also an Austrian musical genius, hails from the musical city of Salzburg, which boasts a museum of Mozart’s former residence.
Next, we travelled to the United States. Hollywood and Disney are representative of American culture, especially in terms of film culture. Film music has also become a unique feature of American culture, and as the theme song of the beloved movie “The Avengers” played, the atmosphere reached its climax.
Our musical journey was far from over as Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1 in D Major took us on a journey through the captivating melodies of Russian composers. Regarded as one of the most emblematic figures in Russian music, Tchaikovsky’s ballet trilogy – “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, and “Sleeping Beauty” – are widely acclaimed as some of the world’s most iconic ballet productions.
Our final destination brought us back to China. Zhu Jian’er was the most comprehensive composer in China to date , and his musical compositions are renowned for their unique performance style and rich cultural connotations. As the familiar melodies played in our ears, our hearts were deeply immersed and moved by the music.
Each student in the audience received five coloured papers. After listening to the music pieces, students raised different coloured paper to show the emotions they felt. This session was a very interesting and interactive one, allowing students to share their feelings about music.
As the sound of the musicians’ instruments lingered in our ears, we couldn’t help but be immersed in it. Thanks to the musicians of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, we were able to savour such a wonderful musical feast on campus. Let us also look forward to more exciting cultural exchange activities taking place on campus in the future!