On the evening of December 15, 2023, the Chinese Embassy in the United States hosted a concert by the Bard East/West Ensemble from the U.S.-China Music Institute at Bard College Conservatory of Music. The performance featured a blend of Chinese and Western music, bringing a warm and festive atmosphere to the chilly winter evening in Washington, D.C. Among the attendees were Minister Xu Xueyuan, Minister Jing Quan, and Minister-Counsellor Chen Chunmei from the embassy. Over 240 guests from various walks of life in the United States, including Vice President of Bard College Ms. Malia Du Mont, were present at the event.

(Guests with the Bard East/West Ensemble)

Minister Xu met with Mr. Cai Jindong, Director of the Bard U.S.-China Music Institute and Artistic Director of the East/West Ensemble, and his wife before the concert. Mr. Cai briefed Minister Xu on the accomplishments of the Bard U.S.-China Music Institute in Chinese folk instrumental music education, as well as the East/West Ensemble’s efforts in advancing the integration of American and Chinese music in the United States.

Minister Xu said that President Xi Jinping announced in his meeting with President Joe Biden in San Francisco that to increase exchanges between the two peoples, especially between the youth, China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. She encouraged the U.S.-China Music Institute to seize the opportunity to further advance cooperation between the two countries in youth music education and artistic exchanges. She underscored the institute’s role in telling stories of China-U.S. goodwill through music and fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, especially between the youth.

In his opening remarks, Minister Jing expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the guests for supporting the development of China-U.S. relations over the years. He said that music servesas a bridge to bring the two peoples closer. With its power to connect hearts, music played a key role in breaking the ice between China and the United States in history. In November, the Philadelphia Orchestra toured China for the 13th time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its first visit to China and was warmly welcomed by the Chinese people. President Xi sent a congratulatory letter to the Orchestra, speaking highly of its contribution to the development of China-U.S. relations, and emphasizing that “Music crosses borders and culture builds bridges”, underlining how music can serve as a pathway to help us explore the right way for our two countries to get along.

Minister Jing noted that the future of the world cannot be a solo piece, but a concerto played by all. China and the United States have always been different, but this does not prevent the two countries from seeking common ground and becoming friends. Both are music-loving nations. In an ensemble, musicians playing different instruments can present beautiful music together through listening to and collaborating with each other. Likewise, music can sow the seeds of friendship between the two peoples. The Bard East/West Ensemble has been committed to integrating Chinese and Western instruments and music traditions to create fresh cross-cultural experience. The musical dialogue tonight will surely bring new enlightenment to China-U.S. relations. He concluded by referencing to President Xi's proposal to jointly promote people-to-people exchanges at the San Francisco summit, and calling for collective efforts to translate the San Francisco vision into reality and contribute to a brighter future for both peoples.

(Opening Remarks by Minister Jing Quan)

With Mr. Cai as the conductor, young musicians from China and the United States showcased a mesmerizing performance featuring classical Chinese and American repertoire with both Chinese and Western instruments.

(Performers at the concert)

The concert opened with the joyful piece “Dragon Prancing and Tiger Jumping”, with the percussion and string ensemble together creating a vigorous and festive atmosphere.

Two traditional Chinese folk music pieces, “The King Removes His Armor” and “A Hundred Birds Worshiping the Phoenix”, were then performed. Melodious and mournful, the sound of pipa recreated the classic scenes of the Chu-Han rivalry and the King’s farewell to his concubine, while the vibrant and dynamic sound of suona vividly imitated how a hundred birds pay respect to the phoenix. The audience were deeply touched by the unique expressive power of Chinese folk music.

The ensemble then treated the audience to the exotic piece “the Silk Road” by Jiang Ying, a young contemporary Chinese composer, which presented the fusion of Eastern and Western civilizations on the Silk Road, inspiringthe audience to look into the history and imagine the future.

(Li Yi and Lucy Fitz Gibbon singing excerpts from the opera White-haired Girl)

Tenor Li Yi and soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon then sang beloved Chinese tunes such as “Ocean, My Hometown”, and“Blowing in the North Wind” and “Tying the Red Ribbon” from the opera White-haired Girl. They also delighted the audience with popular English songs like “One Hand, One Heart” and “Make Our Garden Grow” from Bernstein’s musicals West Side Story and Candide.

In introducing the program, Conductor Cai expressed his hope that through these songs, the Chinese and American peoples can gain a deeper understanding of each other's culture and history. The underlying message of the songs emphasized that only by working hand in hand can the two peoples cultivate a garden of friendship together.

The concert reached its climax with the timeless melodies of “Jasmine Flower” and Turandot. The captivating performance by the two young singers illustrated the integration and mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations and left the audience enchanted.

(Guests watching the show)

Instruments such as flute, suona, pipa, ruan, guzheng, erhu, drum, violin, viola, cello, and bass were skillfully arranged together to deliver stirring melodies. The themes of heroism, patriotism, and humanity embodied in the music transcended time, space, and cultural barriers and brought the hearts of the audience closer.

After the performance, Vice PresidentMs. Malia Du Mont extended her gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for the meticulous arrangements and congratulated the ensemble on the successful performance. She expressed her belief that the audience, much like herself, were also deeply impressed by the exceptional conducting and musical talents of the artists. She was convinced that such cultural exchanges will play a pivotal role in improving and developing China-U.S. relations.

(Remarks by Ms. Malia Du Mont, Vice President of Bard College)

The audience marveled at the fabulous performance, the creative program and the talents of the artists, which demonstrated the profound nature of Chinese music and the perfect blending of Chinese and Western musical instruments. They viewed the event not merely as a concert but as a bridge for cultural exchange and friendship. They eagerly anticipated more performances that will continue to showcase the richness of Chinese culture and foster friendship.

(the Bard East/West Ensemble performing)

The Bard East/West Ensemble, founded by Conductor Cai, is a dynamic and innovative music group combining Chinese and Western instruments to create a new model of cross-cultural performance.It is committed to continually seeking breakthroughs and innovations in musical expression. The ensemble debuted at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. in 2022 and performed at the Lincoln Center in 2023.