A concert, "China Festival - East meets West," was held in
Herzliya, Israel Saturday night to greet the upcoming Chinese
traditional new year - Spring Festival, which falls on February 7 this
year.
The concert was held by the Herzliya Chamber Orchestra under the
patronage of Chinese Embassy to Israel.
It was performed in full symphonic ensemble of 50 Israeli
players under the baton of Chinese conductor Xu Yian, presenting
Chinese classic music Moon Reflected in Er-Quan Spring, a
beautiful and moving piece composed by a blind Chinese musician
first in the 1930s, and Song to the Yellow River Piano
Concerto, manifesting strength, power and grandeur. The performance
received standing ovation.
"Both of them (the two Chinese music pieces) are expressions of
Chinese people's deep love of our motherland," said Chinese
Ambassador in Israel Zhao Jun when addressing an audience of more
than 700.
"Spring Festival celebrates the arrival of spring and therefore
inspires fresh hope for the coming year," said Zhao Jun, expressing
his hope for the peace in this region and friendship between
Chinese and Israeli people ever-lasting.
Israeli Minister of Science, Culture and Sport M.K. Raleb
Majadia also attended the concert.
(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2008)