ChinaDaily[970909-8]

[Chinese News]

China Daily

97 / 09 / 09 /

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1. Dance troupe celebrates birthday
2. Glennie drums up sensation
3. Shaanxi sanctuary keeps folk art alive
4. Briefs (Page: 9, Date: 09/09/97)
5. Liu's lens finds simple heroes
6. What's On (Page: 10, Date: 09/09/97)
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Dance troupe celebrates birthday

THE Guangdong Experimental Modern Dance Co, China's first modern dance
group, founded in 1992, will perform two nights in Beijing to
celebrate its fifth anniversary.

The dancers will display their well-trained modern dance techniques on
September 19-20 at the International Poly Plaza Theatre. The
performances will be followed by a tour of major American cities in
October.

The Guangdong Experimental Modern Dance Co was set up by Yang Meiqi, a
1963 graduate of the Beijing Academy of Dance. In 1986, Yang went to
the United States under a fellowship programme sponsored by the Asian
Cultural Council. Deeply impressed and inspired by the creativity of
modern dance education and performance in the West, she decided to set
up a professional contemporary dance company in China.

She opened a modern dance school in 1987 in Guangdong, supported by
the local government, the Asian Cultural Council and the American
Dance Festival. World famous dancers including Charles Reinhart and
Carl Wolz came to give classes to a group of talented young dancers.

Four years later, 18 students graduated with a diploma in modern dance
awarded by the American Dance Festival.

Yang became the chairman when the Guangdong Experimental Modern Dance
Co announced its birth in 1992. She invited Willy Taso, a prominent
dancer/choreographer from Hong Kong City Dance, to become the
company's artistic director.

The company, widely regarded as a centre of modern dance-making in
China, has been exploring ways to develop modern dance in China by
incorporating Western modern dance concepts with traditional Chinese
dance idioms.

"Modern dance is truly rooted in real life. All of our works strive to
be original and creative," Yang said.

Based on that concept, the company has premiered "City Romance," "Our
Sky," "The Myths" and "China Wind, China Fire."

The company also performs American modern dance giant Paul Taylor's
"Aureole" as well as works by German choreographer Olaf Schmidt.

In the past five years, the company has taken part in many dance
festivals including the 4th Macao Arts Festival, the 10th Singapore
International Arts Festival, the 14th Montpellier Dance Festival in
France and the 15th Hong Kong Festival of Asian Arts.

The company encourages dancers to participate in international dance
competitions. Xing Liang won the gold medal with his solo performance
in the 6th Paris International Dance Competition in 1994. Two years
later, Sang Jijia won the same prize. In 1996, a group of dancers took
the gold, silver and bronze medals at the 9th International Vitebsk
Modern Dance Choreography Competition in Belarus.

"The company has always stressed the value of individuality and yet
respected collective energy," Yang said.

Repertory dance numbers will be included in the performances in
Beijing.
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_Date: 09/09/97_
_Author: Mao Mao_

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Glennie drums up sensation

" Remarkable" best describes the experience of watching British
percussionist Evelyn Glennie rehearse and perform.

Before a huge array of instruments weighing 750 kilograms, she
demonstrates her powerful skills with enthusiasm, emotion, and an
extraordinary economy of effort for such an energy-sapping
performance.

She has a masterly control of the speed and rhythm, according to
homecoming Chinese conductor Shao En, who has been invited back to
work with her and the Symphony Orchestra of the China National Opera &
Ballet Theatre.

"What amazes me is how she can keep the same speed from the very
beginning to the end. That's the most difficult part for a
percussionist," Shao said.

She also has a feeling for each section of the orchestra, and may give
suggestions for an appropriate tempo for the horn or trumpet.

"She can catch even the smallest misjudgement from any of us," said
orchestral percussionist Jin Jiguang.

The special qualities of the world's first and only professional solo
percussionist are all the more respected and cherished -- and
mysterious -- given the fact that she has had a profound hearing
difficulty since she was eight.

But she reads lips perfectly, which makes it easy for her to
communicate with anybody.

"Her hearing is not at all a problem. I can assure you, she can hear
anything," said Shao, noting that mentioning her hearing situation is
neither polite nor necessary.

She rehearses and performs barefoot; many say that in doing so she can
feel the playing of the orchestra through the vibration of the floor.

Glennie herself says, "It only makes me feel more comfortable than
wearing high-heeled shoes."

Without being told, nobody can tell she has the least difficulty in
hearing. Shao, who has worked with her several times, says her hearing
problem has nothing to do with her exceptional skills.

Glennie's maiden tour of China began with two concerts with the
Symphony Orchestra of the China National Opera & Ballet Theatre last
week at the Beijing Concert Hall. Next she will perform in Shanghai on
September 11-12 at the Shanghai Concert Hall.

Since arriving last week, Glennie has caused a sensation in musical
circles in Beijing.

Never before has a concert with the percussionist as the soloist been
held in China. This makes Glennie's concerts a rare gem of an event
that has drawn strong interest from audiences.

All of the works she performs, either popular pieces or avant garde
works, are exclusively written for her by contemporary composers,
including James MacMillan, acknowledged as one of Britain's foremost
talents.

The first half of the concert consists of four percussion pieces:
"Bongo-O," "Michi," "Prime" and "Reaching Out."

She begins with two African Bongo drum, using swift, powerful finger
movements.

She slows down a little bit with the marimba -- the largest of all
percussion instruments -- to give a warm, enchanting performance of
"Michi," written by Japanese composer Keiko Abe.

"Prime" is a difficult piece that requires sophisticated variation of
beats. But Glennie is at ease with the snare drum, or side drum, which
she said she grew up with in her hometown in Aberdeen, Scotland.

More tricky, colourful and exciting is the final number of first
section. "Reaching Out," which describes human communication in remote
areas. Under her hands, the drums and bells make a coherent and
harmonious union.

The second half, which was more noisily acclaimed by the Beijing
audiences, is a performance with the orchestra of James MacMillan's
"Veni, Veni, Emmanuel."

This concerto for percussion and orchestra was first performed in 1992
at the Royal Albert Hall with Glennie and the Scottish Chamber
Orchestra.

Giennie's recording of it won a Classic CD Award in 1994 in Britain.

It uses a wide range of percussion instruments with tuned and untuned
skin, metal and wood sounds. Much of the music is very fast with
sophisticated skills demanded from the soloist and the orchestra.

The music, which is said to be inspired by 15th century French Advent
plain chants, sounds very mysterious and abstract.

Glennie and the orchestra open with a bold, striking fanfare that
immediately throws the audiences into a clashing world of harmony and
disharmony.

Glennie demonstrates her strong sense of listening to the orchestra,
sometimes trying to lead the orchestra, too.

Frankly speaking, in terms of technique and context, this piece of
work was a daring challenge to the Chinese players.

But amazingly, the orchestra performed well above its usual standard,
each individual playing with good control of their instrument.

The brass was no longer unstable and harsh as in the past, but had a
fine texture filled with warmth and confidence.

The improvement of the orchestra should largely be credited to the
conductor Shao En, who obviously has the magical ability to polish an
orchestra within a very short space of time.

Shao studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Britain from
1988-90. Since then, he has been busily engaged with major orchestras
across Europe. In 1990, he became associate conductor and artistic
advisor of the Ulster Orchestra in Britain. He now holds the posts of
principal guest conductor of the Euskadi Orchestra in Spain and music
director of the Guildford Philharmonic.

During Glennie's brief stay in China, she has studied various kinds of
Chinese percussion instruments, of which there are probably over a
thousand. In Beijing, she bought a pair of Chinese castanets and could
play them after an orchestral percussionist taught her for only a few
minutes.

The Chinese castanets will add to Glennie's collection of more than
700 percussion instruments from all over the world.
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_Date: 09/09/97_
_Author: Mao Jingbo_

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Shaanxi sanctuary keeps folk art alive

THERE is a special museum in Shaanxi's Xianyang City, where visitors
can learn a full lesson in traditional Chinese folk art while viewing
its fascinating heritage.

The Northwest Folk Art Museum, created and operated by young poet and
painter Zhao Qiong, aims to collect and preserve folk art works from
Central and Northwestern China, which are considered the origin of the
Chinese nation and civilization.

The museum's collection includes such art works as a leather
silhouette show, ancient costumes, dresses, ancient embroideries,
ceramics, coloured drawings, clay sculptures, stone carvings and
woodcuts. Many date from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

"I am a zealot of Chinese folk art, especially the ancient and
primitive art of the Northwest," said Zhao.

She said the museum offers a sanctuary in which these rare and
characteristic folk art works, some on the verge of loss, can survive
to display their ancient charms.

Besides collecting folk art works, Zhao and her colleagues also
conduct research into Chinese folk art to try to keep this special
part of Chinese culture alive. (CD News)
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_Date: 09/09/97_
_Author: _

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Briefs (Page: 9, Date: 09/09/97)

Epic drama revived

"THE East in Red" an epic song drama popular in the 1960s in China,
will be restaged this month.

Written by a number of prominent Chinese composers, it is a historical
epic work describing the long revolutionary process that started in
1921, when the Chinese Communist Party was founded. Many of the songs
from it are still very popular today.

It will be staged September 16-17 at the Beijing Beizhan Theatre, with
over 200 performers including singers, conductors, chorus and
orchestra members. Most of them were in the original cast when the
dance premiered in 1965 in Beijing.

Soprano success

SOPRANO Ma Mei from the China National Opera & Ballet Theatre recently
won first prize in the 1997 YPO International Voice Competition held
in Miami, USA. Ma was selected from 100 singers from all over the
world for her powerful, lyrical performance of Liu from Puccini's
"Turandot." A graduate from the Central Conservatory of Music, Ma is
one of the theatre's top singers, and has appeared in a number of
Western operas.

Art fest donations

DONATIONS for the upcoming China Arts Festival were made recently in
Beijing. A number of renowned painters and calligraphers from all over
the country donated their latest works to the festival, which is to
run in Chengdu, Sichuan Province from October 25 to November 5.

Since 1987 when the first China Arts Festival was held, the festival
has received wide attention and support from art circles.

The 5th China Arts Festival includes 32 performances ranging from
Peking Operas, symphonic music, local theatre groups, operas, dramas
and dances. Many of the performers are national and international
prize-winners.

Artists from Israel, Germany, Mongolia and India will also take part
in the festival.

Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Culture Li Yuanchao called for more
support from arts and business circles at the donation ceremony.

VCD for nation

"LONG Live the Motherland," a documentary on China's national flag,
emblem and song, was recently released on VCD by the Wujing Recording
and Publishing Co. The collection is divided into three discs,
recounting the history of how the national flag, emblem and song came
into being.

Strauss orchestra

THE Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra will visit China from September 18
to 24 and will give three concerts in Beijing. The orchestra will
perform on September 20 at the Beijing Concert Hall, and at the
Beijing Beizhan Theatre September 21-22.

The Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra was formed in 1966 by Edward
Strauss, the eldest grandson of the famous musician. It is an
authentic Strauss orchestra with a high reputation worldwide. The
orchestra travels to different parts of the world every year, playing
compositions by the Strauss family. The orchestra frequently travels
through Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan.

In 1995, the orchestra gave its first performance in China, winning
acclaim in Beijing and Shanghai.

Japanese Ballet

THE Japan Nagoya Theatre of Ballet and Junior Ballet, headed by Yoko
Tsukamoto, will perform on September 19-20 at the Beijing Beizhan
Theatre.

Sponsored by the Beijing Venus Performing Company and the Beijing
All-Culture Development Company, the Japanese dancers will perform
pieces from Western classical ballet, Japanese modern ballet and
Chinese modern ballet, including "Don Quixote," "Pirate," "Swan Lake,"
"The Red Detachment of Women" and "The Moment of Angels."

Teachers' gala

A GRAND gathering was held on Sunda at the Workers's Gymnasium in
Beijing to celebrate Teachers' Day (September 10).

More than 600 teachers from elementary schools, high schools and
universities as well as vocational schools in the capital took part in
the lively festival.

It was organized by the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing
Educational Bureau.

All the teachers were presented with flowers and gifts by
representatives of all the students of Beijing.

Well-known dancers and musicians also performed at the gathering. (CD
News)
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_Date: 09/09/97_
_Author: _

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Liu's lens finds simple heroes

THERE are many ways for one to be helpful. Liu Shuyi chooses to use
his camera.

Over the past decade, Liu has spent his spare time taking over 1,500
journalistic photos which depict ordinary life and people in his
hometown.

In Songzi proper, not many people know of him, but most mountaineers
know him because he is a man who has helped many "obscure" people rise
to fame.

"If more people know about those in trouble, there might be better
solutions to their problems," says Liu, manager of a transport company
affiliated with the Songmuping Power Plant in Songzi, central Hubei
Province.

"I am not good at writing lengthy feature stories. So I use my
camera."

Liu sometimes felt his office work tiring and boring. He was always
confined in a small room, giving orders to subordinates. So he bought
a camera in 1985, thinking it might make an interesting hobby.

In his first few years as an amateur photographer, Liu concentrated on
such traditional photographic subjects as flowers, pets, children and
beautiful scenery.

Inspired by the programme "Focal Reports" on China Central Television
(CCTV) which often addresses urgent social issues, he began to
photograph the events of people's daily lives. His lens captured
certain problems that upset ordinary people and portrayed various
people doing unusual things in rural areas.

"Through the lens of this old camera, I have achieved what I never
could have expected," he says.

A large part of Liu's portfolio relates to the Hope Project launched
by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China,
organized by the China Youth Foundation and aimed at helping dropouts
return to school.

It began with a photo shot in 1992, which he titled "Embarrassed
Father." It was a picture of Chen Wuyue, an 11-year-old schoolboy who
had to drop out of school because his parents could not afford to pay
the excessive fees charged by the heads of the school.

Soon after, the photo was published in People's Daily and evoked
strong responses from the readers. They demanded the unreasonable fees
be cancelled and the boy and those with similar experiences be sent
back to school.

Liu was threatened and had to go into hiding for about a week. But the
illegal fees were stopped by the provincial government and the boy was
able to go back to school.

Since then, Liu has been going into mountain villages to take photos
and conduct interviews. More than 20 of his pictures revealing the
unsatisfactory conditions in primary schools and the simple, hard
lives of teachers in poverty-stricken areas have been printed in
newspapers or featured on TV .

"The teachers devote all their time and energy to educating their
pupils," Liu says. "But they are not always noticed by the public and
are seldom rewarded for their contributions."

Li Rong is a female teacher in a village school near Yingzui Peak, one
of the highest mountains in Songzi.

Liu went to see her and her five students five times and introduced
their story to the outside world.

Liu's report attracted the attention of editors of CCTV and later Li
and her students appeared on TV.

Liang Qigui and Yang Shangying are a couple who both teach in
Sifangling Village. They have taught for 33 years. Their daughter is
also a primary school teacher. But for years, they have been bothered
by chronic disease because they didn't have the money to pay for
proper medical treatment.

Liu went to visit the couple six times and take them medicine. Later,
he reported their story in People's Daily and thousands of readers
wrote to them and sent them money.

In the same way, Liu made the country aware of other teachers and
their schools. As a result of his efforts, a new Hope primary school
funded by donations from across the country is under construction in
Yechanping Village of Wufeng Tujia Ethnic Autonomous County.

Liu also features people who have contributed to the prosperity of
poor villages.

With his own savings, Yang Hongrong, manager of a self-owned factory,
set up a radio station for the villagers in Taoshu Town of Songzi in
1994. He wanted his neighbours, whose life is limited to the
mountains, to be familiar with what was going on in the outside world
and to know about new techniques in farming and livestock-breeding.

Liu went to interview him and told the story of the radio station to
Hubei Daily, the provincial newspaper.

Before she came back to her hometown in 1991, Yang Hongyan had been
working in Guangdong Province.

She brought back to her home not only her savings, but also a new
lifestyle and fresh ideas on how to get rich.

Yang set up her own factories, manufacturing handicrafts and produce
with raw materials and food from her hometown and neighbouring
counties.

Liu's report on Yang lead to the arrival of a shooting crew for the
regular programme "Half the Sky" on CCTV.

The able woman was later praised by the central government and became
an example for millions of young people living in rural areas.

Liu also directs his lens at those who have made great efforts to
preserve folk arts.

He once reported the story of Ning Yuanjun, who has travelled a lot in
Songzi and many other parts of Hubei, collecting more than 5,000 folk
songs and rhymes handed down from older generations of farmers and
mountaineers. He was called by many farmers a "God of Folk Songs."

"I kept shooting and shooting. During my shooting, I was deeply moved
by ordinary people and their extraordinary deeds," Liu says.

"The more photos I took of them, the more I got involved in their
dreams, joys and sorrows."

As a result, he is trusted by the farmers and mountain people.

They tell him what is troubling them and in most cases, he can help
them solve their problems through his photography and reportage.

Liu has won over 100 awards for his reports from local governments and
newspapers at the provincial and national level. And he has worked as
a correspondent for the People's Daily for years.

Liu used all his prize money to help 12 pupils from poor families
finish their elementary education.

"Taking photos is no longer a hobby but a serious task for me," Liu
says. "I will keep doing this. Perhaps it's the best way for me to be
of service to the farmers."
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_Date: 09/09/97_
_Author: Zhu Linyong and Xianbing_

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What's On (Page: 10, Date: 09/09/97)

EXHIBITIONS

Computerized Fine arts -- The Beijing International Exhibition of
Computerized Art and Design '97 will run from September 9-30 at the
Exhibition Hall of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Artists with their 136 contributions from 11 world famous art
institutes in 9 countries participate in the show entitled "Artistic
Sphere in the Information Era."

With the help of the computer, the latest works visualize the creative
imaginations of the artists and the fresh looks of the works impose
upon the viewers a fresh impression of the fine arts in the digital
age.

A international symposium also will be held at the academy where
specialists in computerized art and design will deliver lectures on
the direction of the newly-emerged art form and its role in art
education.

Time: 9am-4pm, September 9-30. Place: Exhibition Hall of China Central
Academy of Fine Arts, 5 Xiaowei Hutong Dajie, Dongcheng District,
Beijing. Tel: 6525-4731 ext 384.

CONCERTS

Cello Opens the Season -- The China National Symphony Orchestra will
open its 97/98 musical season with two concerts, joined by the
internationally recognized Chinese Wang Jian, September 12-13 at the
Beijing Concert Hall.

Programmes include Dvorak's "Cello Concerto in B minor, op. 104" and
Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" which will be conducted by the
orchestra's artistic director and conductor Chen Zuohuang.

Wang Jian, recognized as a child prodigy, was picked up at age 11 by
violin virtuoso Isaac Stern who granted him an opportunity to study in
the United States.

Time: 7:15pm, September 12-13. Place: Beijing Concert Hall, 1
Beixinhuajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Tel: 6605-5812.
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_Date: 09/09/97_
_Author: _

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