Yan Huichang Conducts Three Major National Orchestras in Tribute to Peng Xiuwen

Conductor Yan Huichang is leading the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan, the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, and the Kaohsiung Chinese Orchestra in a joint performance of classic works by the late composer and conductor Peng Xiuwen. He stated that Peng emphasized the 'symphonic nature' of traditional music rather than 'symphonic assimilation,' insisting on maintaining the subjectivity of traditional Chinese music. As a student and close friend of Peng in his later years, Yan told Central News Agency that on the 30th anniversary of Peng's passing, he must correct the frequent misuse of the term 'symphonic assimilation' in the traditional music world. Yan noted that Peng was very bothered and even angry about the term 'symphonic assimilation' during his lifetime, 'because the suffix -ization implies the disappearance of subjectivity and total Westernization, which was not his original intention.' Peng established the symphonic structure of traditional Chinese orchestras in the 1950s, laying the foundation for modern orchestras. He also devoted himself to instrument improvement, leaving behind thousands of arrangements and original works, elevating traditional music from folk music to an artistic level capable of symphonic performance. Yan pointed out that if the composition of a traditional orchestra is overly simplified to match the structure and range of a Western symphony orchestra, it would erase the most precious characteristics and cultural heritage of traditional music. 'For example, if the suona is played differently to match the volume and timbre of a Western symphony, it loses its original meaning as an instrument.' Yan stated that, in contrast, 'symphonic nature' pursues multi-layered and three-dimensional thinking in performance, rather than blind replication of instrument configurations. Yan said, 'If 80 people just play together to make sound without a multi-layered symphonic mindset, it is a waste of traditional music resources.' Yan mentioned that Peng had conducted an experiment during his lifetime: if the scores for gaohu and erhu with different tunings in a traditional orchestra were swapped, the orchestra would be unable to play because the timbres were completely different. Furthermore, traditional orchestras possess 'plucked' instrument families like the pipa, which symphony orchestras do not have. 'A traditional orchestra is not a substitute for a symphony orchestra, but a unique, self-contained, and international modern symphonic genre.' For this concert series commemorating the 30th anniversary of Peng's passing, the Taipei performance will feature the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, while the Kaohsiung performance will feature the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and the Kaohsiung Chinese Orchestra. The huqin principals of the three orchestras will perform the classic 'Erquan Yingyue' in a 'dual erhu' version, which is also an innovation. Yan stated that the selection also includes 'Wind of Friendship' No. 2 'Treasure Island,' a piece Peng composed specifically for Taiwan in 1991, incorporating Taiwanese folk songs like 'Thinking of You' and 'Niu Li Ge,' which are deeply characteristic of Taiwan. Additionally, conductor Liu Jiangbin returns as a performer for the first time in 15 years, picking up the suona to perform the 'Harvest' concerto. Liu said that since 2012, he has only appeared in concerts as a conductor. 'Now I feel like a once-prominent athlete who suddenly announces a comeback after 15 years of stroke.' While practicing hard, Liu specifically sought help from Zhou Dongchao, the original performer of 'Harvest.' 'I am grateful to Conductor Yan and the orchestra for being my strong support. I will repay Master Peng Xiuwen in heaven with the most sincere performance.' The 'Grandmaster' concert will be held on May 23 at the National Concert Hall in Taipei and on May 29 at the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts.