The erhu concert "East and West", presented by the Australian Phoenix Collective, will meet audiences in Canberra, Sydney and the Central Coast from April 22 to April 25. This is the first time that the orchestra has skillfully combined Western string quartet and erhu, and by exploring traditional Chinese folk music, it demonstrates the unique charm of the fusion of Chinese and Western music.

With the theme of "Mixing Chinese and Western", the concert tour will be performed by Chinese erhu performer Liu Ying and four Australian performers Dan Russell, Pip Thompson, Ella Brinker and Andrew Wilson. The concert combines Western string quartets and erhu in a unique way, jointly arranging Chinese and Australian classic works, among which the arranging of erhu and Debussy's famous string quartet in G minor is even more unique.

Liu Ying is the first folk music examiner in the High School Affiliated to the Sydney Conservatory of Music, a special Chinese music appreciation writer for the Sydney Bandstand, a special artist of the University of Western Sydney, and the head of the Sydney area of the Central Conservatory of Music for the overseas Chinese music examination. For a musician.

Dan Russell, artistic director of the concert, said that the concept of combining the Western String Quartet with the Erhu was based on the exchange of musical ideas with Liu Ying and the orchestra's cellist Andrew Wilson. He also pointed out that movies with Chinese culture also gave him inspiration, he said: "I grew up listening to the songs of the movies "Hero", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "House of Flying Daggers", the music in it is very beautiful ."

Russell also said that although the combination of violin and erhu put forward higher requirements for the selection of repertoire, the erhu and string quartet actually cooperated very well. Liu Ying also agreed with this. She said: "The sound of the violin and the erhu is very integrated. At present, many composers have begun to compose music for the fusion of Chinese and Western music." In addition, she also affirmed the performance of this performance. important significance, and pointed out that Chinese culture has subtly influenced Western artistic creation.

It is reported that the concert is based on the exploration of traditional Chinese folk music, improvisation and modern experimental techniques. The whole concert starts with a fragment of the Chinese classic "Ode to the Yellow River" adapted by cellist Andrew Wilson. The repertoire also includes Many classic repertoires have been adapted after the fusion of Chinese and Western musical elements, such as the work "Left Bank Waltz" by Australian composer Peter Schuthorpe, specially adapted by Australian arranger Julie Symonds for the erhu and quartet. The traditional Chinese folk songs "Jasmine", "Good Night", "Orchid Flower" and other works were also presented in front of the audience one after another. There were also improvised songs such as the Oscar-winning movie music "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", which attracted bursts of applause from the audience.

The Australian audience also showed great enthusiasm for the concert tour. Russell said that music is a sound that anyone can understand, and the beauty of folk music is that it's easy to understand and anyone can enjoy.

The last show of the tour is a charity performance specially presented for the disadvantaged groups in society. Many of the audience who came to see the show have experienced low points in their lives during the past two years of the pandemic and are looking for a new direction. They said that music could comfort them and heal their wounds.

Liu Ying also said that the language of music knows no borders. She said: "Most of the people watching the show are Westerners. Everyone likes and enjoys it from the bottom of their hearts. One lady told me that she was crying. They didn't reject it, but completely indulged in it."

Finally, Liu Ying also emphasized that with the exchange and collision of Chinese and Western music, China's national culture and national self-confidence can be displayed, and music is the common wealth of mankind.