Peking University, Nov.11, 2011: On the evening of November 5th, the Night of the Beijing Forum was held at Peking University (PKU) Hall. PKU Chinese Music Institute, together with PKU Freshman Cantata Chorus and Star Molecule Chorus from PKU College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, presented  the audience with a fabulous orchestral concert, drawing them into the beautiful kingdom of Chinese traditional folk music.

The Night of Beijing Forum was first held in 2007. Over the past four years, it has become  the cultural brand and a treasured tradition of the Beijing Forum. The evening gala has successfully invited a large number of top artists and art groups from around the world. The performers have thrilled the audience with diverse performances, including chamber music, chorus, dance, and so on. This year, however, the Night of Beijing Forum was independently organized and performed by PKU student associations, showing the foreign scholars the voice of China and the songs of its young people.

“The harmony of civilization, the common prosperity of human beings……” The curtains were raised to the melodious overture, Expressing Gratitude with Music. Taking inspiration from the rhymes and melodies of traditional Kazak music, The Ring of Camel Bell was exciting and cheerful. Delightful Days vividly displayed the delicacy and fluidness of Cantonese music while The Sound of the Clouds depicted the beauty of Yunnan, the “South of the Iridescent Clouds” with its concise lyrics. The audience were united in their enjoyment of these many different styles of music and different civilizations were brought together by the captivating show, which was precisely the theme of The Beijing Forum. The stage design was managed independently by the students.

The concert ended with the lively piece Yu Diao. The contrast between motions and silence, and the infusion of intensity and expressiveness filled the whole melody. With this bouncing rhythm, the music manifested infinite vitality.

Participants of the ceremony included PKU Council Chairman Zhu Shanlu, PKU President Zhou Qifeng, Colin Lucus [former vice-Chancellor of Oxford University and former Chairman of the British Library, and member of Hong Kong University Grants Committee], and Park In-kook [president of Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies].

Written by: Yan Binghan
Edited by: Arthars
Source: PKU News (Chinese)