NEW YORK—”The music transcended the soul,” said Gail Gray, after attending the performance by Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra Saturday afternoon at Carnegie Hall.
“I feel very happy. Happy for humanity,” she said after attending the performance.
Her husband, Andrew Gray, owner of Seaside Construction, said he thought the performance was uplifting and felt privileged to have been at the concert.
“Just an outstanding performance, wonderful. A great experience,” Mr. Gray said.
The Gray’s enthusiasm for the performance was widely shared. It concluded with a standing ovation and two encores by the orchestra.
Almost Crying
“It almost made me cry,” said Jiuoio Marandola. “The sound was beautiful.”
A Grand Orchestra
Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra has broken new ground in the world of classical music by perfectly combining the grandeur of a Western symphony orchestra and the exquisite beauty of Chinese melodies.
“First, the Western orchestra serves as a foundation, accentuating the distinct sound of Chinese instruments. Second, the bedrock of soul-stirring melodies from the ancient Middle Kingdom is fully brought to life by a Western symphony,” says the orchestra’s website.
It’s an approach that has been extremely well received.
“The entire orchestra is so in sync. It’s just unbelievable.” said Mr. Marandola after watching the performance.
“The conductor is awesome, he is unbelievable,” he said. “I will come back. I will definitely recommend it to people.”
For Katherine Fennelly, a professor of public policy at the University of Minnesota, the blend of the traditional Chinese music with the symphony orchestra was very enjoyable.
“I thought that was beautiful,” she said.
Jinsoo Kim, who works in advertising, said of the orchestra: “A great mix of cultures, a great mix of sounds.”
Bel Canto Soloists Take the Stage
Part of Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performances are pieces performed by vocal soloists.
The soloists use bel canto’s genuine high-note technique, a traditional method being revived by Shen Yun.
The pieces they perform are all-original by Shen Yun, and contain deep reflections about life.
“The singers, they were beautiful, both the male and the female, the tenor and the soprano were wonderful,” Mrs. Gray said.
Reporting by Wei Yong and Jasper Fakkert.
[i]The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra continues its tour with a performance on Oct. 11 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts inWashington, D.C. and on Oct. 13 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, Florida. For information about the orchestra’s October performances, visit ShenYun.com/Symphony.
New York-based Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra comprises musicians from the four Shen Yun Performing Arts touring companies. Shen Yun Performing Arts begins its 2016 world tour on Dec. 22, 2015.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time.
