Hosted by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and organized by its International Education School, the "2026 New Year Concert for Chinese and International Students" recently concluded with great success at the He Luting Concert Hall. The event brought together faculty, students, and community members from over a dozen institutions, including Tongji University, East China Normal University, and Shanghai University, to usher in the new year of 2026 in a festive celebration of music and cultural exchange.

Prior to the concert, Mr. Tang Junjie, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, delivered the New Year address. He extended a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to all the guests, faculty, students, and friends of the Conservatory in attendance.

In his speech, he reflected on a fruitful year in 2025 for the school's international education programs, marked by enhanced quality and substantive achievements. Looking ahead to 2026, which marks the beginning of a new development phase, he encouraged all students to continue leveraging the power of music as a universal language. He expressed his hope that through their artistry, the students would share compelling stories of China, foster genuine cultural connections, and contribute their youthful energy to promoting mutual understanding and a shared future for all.

Nearly one hundred Chinese and international students from over ten countries, including France, Canada, Australia, Ukraine, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia, and Mozambique, presented a spectacular audio-visual feast. They performed 20 meticulously prepared pieces, each showcasing diverse musical styles and cultural flavors.

The concert commenced with the majestic percussion piece South of the Clouds, its powerful and festive rhythms instantly energizing the audience. This was followed by a series of performances that blended Chinese and international characteristics with classic appeal. The vocal pieces—When Will the Pagoda Tree Blossom, Azer's Aria, and Do Not Sing, My Beauty (or Ne poy, krasavitsa)—were delivered with deep emotion, resonating with the listeners. The joint performance of the Morin Khuur and Guzheng, Queen Mandukhai the Wise, and the viola solo Song of Spring each captivated with their beautiful and distinctive melodies.

The first half of the concert also featured classic Western chamber works, including Felix Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49 and Johannes Brahms's Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor, Op. 114. These pieces, performed with structural precision and emotional depth, showcased the timeless allure of classical music. It is worth noting that two compositions, The Legend of Zelda Suite and Drifting Clouds, were original works by international students of the Conservatory. These pieces skillfully bridged traditional instruments with contemporary creative concepts, offering a vivid demonstration of the students' artistic creativity.

The second half sustained the concert's high energy with a series of captivating performances. Passion was reignited with the Malaysian students' powerful rendition of Fearless Love, Fearless Action. The performance of The Second Erhu Concerto "Journey to the West" impressed the audience with its lively rhythms and profound artistic conception. Pieces such as Silk Road Glimpses and The Shepherdess injected vibrant youthful energy into the stage with their distinctive ethnic flavors. An art song performance by a student from Mozambique followed, with The Indomitable Phoenix Tree showcasing rich vocal tones that painted a portrait of resilience, the lyrics woven with themes of homeland and the passage of time. The concert then presented a rearranged version of Chrysanthemum Terrace for erhu, cello, and piano, transforming the classic pop melody with the nuanced texture of chamber music and evoking a poetic blend of modern and classical sensibilities.

Finally, the concert reached its climax with performances by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music “Voices of the World” Choir. They presented a delightful pairing of the classic Fly Me to the Moon and the beloved Chinese song The Moon Represents My Heart. Through song, Chinese and international students together conveyed heartfelt wishes for the future, bringing the magnificent musical celebration to a perfect and unforgettable close.

This concert provided a platform for Chinese and international students to showcase their artistic talents while engaging in meaningful cultural exchange. Looking ahead, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music will not only continue to strengthen talent development, but also host more events dedicated to promoting cross-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding.

Source: Shanghai Conservatory of Music