At the age of 86, Maestro Chen Xieyang raised his baton, and the young musicians of the Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra followed his gestures closely, bringing to life the whimsical melodies of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite. On February 10, this remarkable duo took the stage at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, where they performed for the first time in the capital as part of the "Gusu Youth on the Move" concert. This concert marked the debut of the Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra's youth ensemble, showcasing their level and charm to the Beijing audience.
Founded in 2022, the Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra's youth ensemble, was established through a collaborative effort between the Suzhou Municipal Education Bureau and Suzhou Cultural Investment. The professional operations of the Orchestra are managed by the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, with Chen Xieyang and Xu Zhong serving as the music directors and chief conductors, respectively. According to Chen Guangxian, Chairman of the China Symphony Development Foundation and the head of both the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra and Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra, the young musicians were selected through a rigorous process, with a selection rate of only 10%. Currently, the Orchestra members, aged between 10 and 18, mostly attend regular schools in Suzhou. Thanks to the efforts of many, the ensemble is becoming a "youthful calling card" for cultural exchange in the city and for arts education in schools.
"When we heard that we would perform in Beijing at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, the kids were so excited. Those who had planned to travel even canceled their trips," Chen Guangxian said. The children practiced diligently for months, preparing a diverse repertoire, including Austria's splendid waltz, Chinese classics like Floral Blooming Under the Moon and Yao Ethnic Dance, and dramatic ballet music. The program's stylistic range was wide, and even Chen Xieyang couldn't help but praise their performance, acknowledging that these pieces—usually considered a challenge for professional Orchestras—were played quite well by the young musicians. "The future of Chinese symphonic music lies with them. Many children are learning music now, and I firmly believe that our country's symphonic music will continue to improve," said Chen Xieyang. While most of these children may not pursue professional music careers, the collective spirit and love for the arts nurtured by the Orchestra remain invaluable assets for their personal growth.
In addition to the concert, the Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra's youth ensemble participated in several educational and cultural activities during their Beijing visit. They visited the Central Military Band of the People's Liberation Army of China, attended a lecture by Yu Hai, the President of the Chinese Musician's Association Wind Instrument Society, about the national anthem, and visited the Central Conservatory of Music, where they experienced the serene and focused atmosphere of this prestigious music institution. "Everything at school seems to have a shadow of music," said 11-year-old Zhou Ziqian, the concertmaster of the youth Orchestra. He eagerly recounted the experiences, clearly having gained much. His memories culminated in the shining halls of the National Centre for the Performing Arts. "Performing in China's best concert hall made us all so excited. We hope the Beijing audience can see the best, most perfect version of us."
Translator: FENG Haoxuan
Reviewer: BAI Jing
