Li Yundi, Chai Liang and Warren Mok Star in Beijing Keystone Academy's First Open Air Concert
BEIJING, May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring, with its scintillating blossoms and soothing breeze, has inspired many an artist. Botticelli's Primavera, Brown's The Pretty Baa-Lambs, Monet's Springtime and van Gogh's Almond Blossom are just a few of the stupendous manifestations on canvas that come to mind. Meanwhile, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Schumann's Spring Symphony, Mendelssohn's Spring Song and others are classical aural delights.
From canvases to compositions, spring is magical. To recreate some of this spring magic, Beijing's Keystone Academy brought together three artists who presented the 1,500 people in the audience with an unmatched sensation of spring through music and song. Backed by the China National Broadcasting and Film Symphony Orchestra, renowned pianist, Li Yundi, famous operatic tenor, Warren Mok, and violin virtuoso and conductor, Chai Liang, transformed Melodies of Spring: A Concert from an outdoor concert to an out-of-this-world experience.
Set in the center of the school's impressive residential campus, the concert was both intimate and grand. The evening began with a few classical pieces performed by the Symphony Orchestra starting with the John Williams' Olympic Fanfare and Theme, followed by Bizet's The Carmen Suites. Tenor Mok then took the stage with a riveting rendition of Wang Luobin's Faraway and Eduardo Di Capua's Neapolitan composition 'O Sole Mio'. Li Yundi closed the evening with an enthralling performance of Chopin.
Audiences were so mesmerized that they requested an encore, which Li Yundi responded to with Chopin's Nocturne Op.9. No.2. It was an especially enchanting evening for residential staff and students because, as many of them said, it is such a special experience and privilege to attend a concert in one's own home. And for those who do not live in the Keystone residences, they definitely went home filled with the bliss and beauty of spring.
This musical extravaganza is part of the Keystone Classical Music Series that is a platform to appreciate the arts in its many forms, including ballet, music, and ancient art traditions such as Kun Qu. It also enriches the school's academic and social ethos, especially for our students, by strengthening creativity, encouraging cultural fluency, and exposing them to the best and talented in diverse fields and disciplines.
Meet the Artists
Li Yundi
Li Yundi, often called the prince of piano, was launched onto the international stage of music with his first prize at the XIV Chopin International Piano Competition at the age of 18. He is regarded as the leading exponent of Chopin's music, and has even been officially recognized by the Polish government for his contribution to their culture with a Gold Medal for Merit to Culture "Gloria Artis" in 2010.
Warren Mok
Warren Mok began his international career in opera with a debut in 1987 at the Deutsche Opera. Since then, he has appeared as a guest in many operas around the world. He is currently the artistic director of the Macau International Music Festival, and founder and artistic director of Opera Hong Kong.
Chai Liang
A member of the String Department of China's Central Conservatory of Music, Chai Liang is a well-known violinist. He conducted this spring concert. He has performed with orchestras around the world, and has won many prizes in his violin career, including the National Violin Competition for Arts Institutions in China, the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition in England, and the Japan International Music Competition.
About Keystone Academy
Keystone Academy, in operation since 2014, is located in Beijing, China. It is a non-profit, philanthropic educational venture governed by a board of trustees. The school blends distinctive traditions in eastern, western, and international education, creating a "new world school" that is academically outstanding and a new model of education in China. We learn from and we learn for this enterprising, global community.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160526/372475
SOURCE Keystone Academy Beijing
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