Timeless Russian Ballet has once again come to Beijing - but
this time in a unique collaboration with Chinese artists. Creative
freedom is exercised to the fullest, and ethnic culture celebrated,
in the production called Flowing Creek.
The folk song Flowing Creek has been sung in the
mountains of Yunnan province for more than 50 years. And on
Tuesday, the ballad brought two peoples together, in a bold
experiment by ballet's best from China and Russia.
The combination of an earthy folk song with the graceful art of
ballet may appear bizarre at first. But through the concert one
feels the sincerity of the Russian dancers, who transcend cultural
boundaries through their passion for art.
Any culture shock is soothed by the universal theme of love.
Flowing Creek is an elegy of the love triangle between the
fairest maiden in the village, the Prince of the palace, and the
Tarzan of the lush Yunnan forest.
And music breaks down the language barrier. Flowing
Creek, the ballad, is known as the quintessential Oriental
Serenade. It was composed in 1947, and expanded into a violin
concerto just last year, by Russian- Chinese composer Zuo Zhenguan.
He also adapted the score for the ballet.
Russia's National Philharmonic kept the intensity on high.
Flowing Creek will have three more shows at Beijing
Century Theater, before touring to Shanghai, Zhejiang and Yunnan.
As a joint production of two countries, the dance will be staged
extensively in Russia next year.
Russia's National
Philharmonic
(CCTV.com December 8, 2006)
