NEW YORK, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Renowned Chinese artist Tan Dun's Cello Concerto: Intercourse of Fire and Water made its premiere here on Sunday.
The work of the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer and conductor was performed by Chinese cello soloist Zhao Jing when The Orchestra Now, conducted by Tan, opened its third Rose Theater season at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Inspired by the Chinese philosophical masterpiece, I Ching, also known as Classic of Changes, the concerto explores the broader sense of balance and counterpoint of the musical notes, styles, tempos, timbres and dynamics all through the theme of fire and water.
Calling "Intercourse of Fire and Water" one of Tan's most abstract and complicated works, Zhao, the cellist, told Xinhua that it was a tough yet amazing journey to perform it with a group of young people from different cultural backgrounds.
"Music has a magic power to cross borders. I didn't have any sense of alienation though it was my debut here," said Zhao.
The concert also included another work of Tan Dun's: Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds, commissioned by Carnegie Hall in 2015 for the National Youth Orchestra of the United States. The music draws on forms from the East and West, ancient and modern, and incorporates birdsong produced by smartphones.
Smetana's Vltava from Ma vlast and Respighi's Pines of Rome were also performed.
"Today was exceptional. It was just a fabulous selection of pieces. The combinations of the four pieces went so well together," Carmen Perez, 75, a New York resident, said after the concert.
The Orchestra Now is a group of vibrant young musicians from countries including the United States and China, who share a mission to make orchestral music relevant to 21st-century audiences.
It was founded by conductor, educator, and music historian Leon Botstein in 2015 as a master's degree program at Bard College in New York.
