On the evening of April 13th, the "East Meets West" Concert, produced by China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd and presented by China Performing Arts Agency in collaboration with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, was successfully held at Cadogan Hall in London. This world-class concert, which featured a perfect combination of Chinese and Western cultures and showcased brilliant cultural exchanges between China and the world, attracted an audience of 800 people.
The event was attended by Ambassador Zheng Zeguang and his wife Counselor Hua Mei, as well as Sun Guangqi, Deputy General Manager of Bauhinia Culture Group Corporation Ltd, Li Baozong, General Manager of China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd, British historian Michael Wood and his wife, David Berkeley, Chair of the Board of Governors for the Yehudi Menuhin School, Tasmin Little, Co-President of the Board of Governors for the Yehudi Menuhin School, David Burke, CEO of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and James Williams, General Manager of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, among other guests from China and the UK.
At the concert, Cadogan Hall was adorned in Chinese red and filled with applause and cheers. Internationally acclaimed conductor Qian Junping led the London Philharmonic Orchestra with featured Chinese violinist Ning Feng and classical guitarist Yang Xuefei. The concert started with the lively and ethnically-rich Chinese piece "Torch Festival," followed by the Orchestra's performance of British composer Edward Elgar's masterpiece "Cockaigne Overture." Ning Feng's passionate performance of the "Violin Concerto No.1" incorporated traditional Chinese sounds scored for Western symphony orchestra and Western solo instruments, resulting in modern East-meets-West sonic experiences. The concert ended with the piece "Gift," which exhibited China’s profound culture and demonstrated the charm of exchanges and mutual learning between the two cultures.
At the reception before the concert, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang had pleasant chats with British guests, commending the fruitful exchanges between the two countries in the field of culture and art and encouraging further cooperation among art institutions and musicians and more artistic works that are characteristic of the new era and connect the hearts of the people of China and the UK.
After the concert, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang met with the Chinese musicians and expressed appreciation to them for their efforts and contributions to cultural exchanges between China and the world. He also encouraged them to better leverage their strengths and wisdom for the promotion of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.