June 16 - July 5, 2008
"A Musical Journey to the Olympics"
The Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Stanford
Taiko, and combined choral ensembles from the Department of
Music are preparing for their grandest ever international
concert tour in the summer of 2008. The tour will take place in
China, the country that has fascinated the world with its
culture and its economic growth and that will host the 2008
Olympic Games in Beijing, its capital city.
Our ensembles will perform a total of 10-12 concerts in Hangzhou,
Xi’an, Shanghai, and Beijing. Some of these concerts will be
collaborative events with the orchestras and choirs from some of
China’s leading universities. The performances in Beijing are a
featured part of the China International Youth Arts Festival.
Sponsored by China’s Ministry of Culture and the Beijing Olympic
Organization, this festival is one of the most prestigious arts
events of all the planned Beijing Olympic cultural activities.
The tour is intended to promote cultural exchange and strengthen
understanding between the two nations, especially among their
youth. It is our hope that this experience will help broaden our
vision and advance our understanding of China’s history,
culture, and values. Since the U.S.’s increasing ethnic and
cultural diversity includes a vibrant and growing Chinese and
Chinese-American community, our tour’s collaborative projects
will provide a wonderful celebration of the spirit of Olympic
cooperation and the vibrancy of youth.
Our tour members will not only perform, but will also have the
opportunity to experience the country’s different regions and
attractions that contribute to the richness of culture that
defines China. These will include walking on the Great Wall
outside of Beijing, strolling through the busiest streets in
metropolitan Shanghai, surveying the terracotta warriors of the
ancient city of Xi'an, embracing the scenic beauty of West Lake
in the historic city of Hangzhou, cruising on the breathtaking
Li River, and exploring one of the most exotic towns — Yangshuo
in Guilin.
Concert Dates and Programs (Details below may be subject to slight changes):
- June 18: Zhejiang University Auditorium – Collaboration with Zhejiang University Arts Troupe
- June 19: Hangzhou Grand Theater – Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Stanford Chamber Chorale, Stanford Taiko and Zhejiang University Arts Troupe
- June 21: Xi’an Xincheng Theater – Stanford Chamber Chorale and Stanford Taiko
- June 22: Xi’an Renming Grand Theater – Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Stanford Chamber Chorale, Stanford Taiko, and Xi’an Conservatory of Music
- June 24: Shanghai Concert Hall – Stanford Taiko, Stanford Chamber Chorale, and Jiangzhou Drumming Troupe
- June 27: Shanghai Oriental Art Center – Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Stanford Choral Union, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Silicon Valley Ai-Yue Chorus, National Taiwan University Alumni Chorus in Northern California, and Jon Nakamatsu
- June 28: Shanghai Oriental Art Center – Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Stanford Choral Union, Stanford Taiko, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Silicon Valley Ai-Yue Chorus, National Taiwan University Alumni Chorus in Northern California, Jiaotong University Symphony and Chorus, Fudan University Chorus, and Jon Nakamatsu
- June 29: Shanghai Concert Hall – Piano Quintet: St. Lawrence String Quartet and Jon Nakamatsu
- July 2: Beijing, The Great Hall of the People – Opening concert of the China International Youth Arts Festival: Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Stanford Choral Union, Stanford Taiko, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Silicon Valley Ai-Yue Chorus, National Taiwan University Alumni Chorus in Northern California, Qinghua University Symphony and Chorus, Beijing University Chorus, and Jon Nakamatsu
- July 3: Beijing, National Center for the Performing Arts of China – Stanford Symphony Orchestra, Stanford Choral Union, Stanford Taiko, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, Silicon Valley Ai-Yue Chorus, National Taiwan University Alumni Chorus in Northern California, and Shanghai Jinxing Dance Theatre
- July 4: Beijing, National Center for the Performing Arts of China – (repeat of July 3rd program)
- July 5: Beijing, Forbidden City Concert Hall – Piano Quintet: St. Lawrence String Quartet and Jon Nakamatsu
Major Repertories
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 –
“Ode to Joy”
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue, Jon Nakamatsu, piano
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1910 version)
Orff: Carmina Burana
Zhou Long: Cosmic Flames (world premiere)
He/Chen: The Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto
Please contact Ms. Kimberly Hsieh at kimiko@stanford.edu with any questions regarding the tour. If you do not have an email address, phone messages can be left at 650.725.2685.
