The theme of this concert, "Birdsong," comes from the natural language of music depicted in Mahler's Symphony No. 1. Young composer Faykueen Wang's work "Quantum Oceanarium" and Messiaen's classic work "Foreign Birds" will engage in a unique musical dialogue with Gustav Mahler on nature-related topics. Is it about conquering nature or living in harmony with it? The answers given by composers from different eras are hidden in these works.

The concert will perform Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1, adapted by Ian Farrington. This work is the origin of Mahler's symphonic creation, presenting the process of human struggle with nature. The details use rich European folk music elements and a large number of simulated natural sound effects to depict the mystery and infinity of nature.

At the same time, the new commissioned work "Quantum Oceanarium" by young composer Faykueen Wang will be performed. Starting from the hot topic of ocean protection, it reflects on the environmental pollution and global warming that have caused glacier melting and gradually unbalanced marine ecology. In the work, each melody instrument represents a kind of marine life, or perhaps a quantum, while the piano, percussion, harp and other instruments symbolize seawater and the environment. They are sometimes independent of each other, sometimes intertwined, and every subtle change affects the state of other quanta, as well as the colorful light and shadow changes in the music ocean. And the classic work "Foreign Birds" by composer Olivier Messiaen will also be performed, divided into thirteen sections, gathering different bird songs from around the world, and written as a highly colorful work using sound collage techniques. Various contrasts in timbre and structure are used to enhance the color changes in the music, full of rich imagination.

Performance information

Time: Wednesday, October 11th, 7:30 pm

Venue: Beijing Poly Theater

Piano: Ju Xiaofu

Mahler Foundation Festival Orchestra

Conductor: John Warner

Composer: Faykueen Wang