Recently, “Melody with Joy”, the New Year concert presented by Peiyang Chinese Orchestra of TJU was held in the Seeking Truth Hall on Peiyang Park campus, bringing a marvelous audio-visual feast to the audience. 

The past 31 years have witnessed the rapid development and expansion of Peiyang Chinese Orchestra of TJU since 1985 when it was first established. With the painstaking effort of students from grade to grade and from generation to generation, Peiyang Chinese Orchestra of TJU has made great progress and enjoyed high popularity both at home and abroad. 

Five main works were involved in the repertoire tonight, with three in the first half of the concert. Accompanied by a sudden and fast rhythm, the first piece The Prelude to Ceremony began. Composed by Zhao Jiping and conducted by Jia Aiting, the very piece of work used to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China brought the audience a cheerful and pleasant feeling. The following two pieces were the Lovedone’s Dream and the Dance of Yao Race, which led the audience to a musical world filled with stories and affection. The melodious music echoed around the hall along with the unceasing applause during the pauses between every two songs. 

After they performed Deep in the Night then came Fantasia, which marked the beginning of the latter half of the concert. With a string of zithers being plucked, the sound produced had the sparkle of a mountain stream. One might feel as if he or she were staying in a quiet and peaceful place on the hillside without any interruptions, escaping from the modern world. When the audience was concentrating on the fantastic rhythm of the zither, the sound of the Erhu entered, clear and poetic, pushing the music to its best. 

The most important and influential song, Ode to Peace, as the conductor said, was left until the end. The slow and smooth pace of the opening section was followed by the strong and fast rhythm in the next three movements with compact drumbeats and loud fluting. Added with The Jasmine variations and chorus, with the fifth and also last movement of Ode to Peace we finally reached the climax of the concert. 

Many former members of Peiyang Chinese Orchestra of TJU were invited to the concert, including the conductor Jia Aiting. Touching the audience’s heart, the concert was not simply an audio-visual feast, but also a representation of the bond connecting the members of Peiyang Chinese Orchestra of TJU year after year, passing on the spirit of diligence and perseverance and carrying their dream towards a bright future. 

By: Ma Zhou 

Editors: Qin Mian and Christopher Peter Clarke 

Photos: Xu Fei, Ye Xiufeng, Huang Weimin, Chen Yuxuan, Chen Yuanle, Liu Jiahui, Wang Zibo, Yuan Ye