Co-sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles,the Chinese Musicians’Association and the Municipal Government of Xiamen,the National Choral Gala Concerts in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of China’s Anti-Japanese War & the World War II took place in the city of Xiamen from August 12 to 15,2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the victory of China’s Anti-Japanese War and to promote mass chorus development in the country. On August 13,four sessions of semi-finals were held at the People’s Hall and the Art Theatre.And on August 14,two sessions of finals were realized at the People’s Hall.The competition attracted 54 chorus groups from all over the country,each presenting those patriotic songs from the wartime period,with strong music that symbolizes the spirit of the nation and encourages the people to revitalize the country. In his summary speech,Xu Peidong,CMA Executive Vice-President,said that on the occasion of the commemoration today,the form of mass chorus was of great significance in enhancing the national spirit and recalling the martyrs.With the rise of the people’s living standards and the increasing demands for cultural entertainment,chorus should be improved more in artistic terms,instead of limiting only to mass unison.Under the current circumstances of shrinking professional chorus groups,many of the professionals have transferred to amateur chorus groups,playing great roles in raising the national standards of mass chorus.But at the same time,obvious problems do exist in the relatively stagnant chorus music composition.In order to promote chorus songs writing,it is necessary for the government to create a certain mechanism of assistance and cultivation,which will encourage lyric and song writers to create even better works for chorus.The China"Golden Bell"Music Awards used to focus on professional competitions.But this year’s competitions will be adjusted and will include chorus competition,with a purpose to promote the development of mass culture.
For recent years, Chen Yi has been one of the most dynamic overseas Chinese composers. Many of her works are frequently performed on music stages around the world, and are widely acclaimed by music critics, musicians, scholars and concert audience. In other words, Chen Yi has attained remarkable achievements and international reputations. What exactly is so special that has brought her such tremendous success and the favour of so many spectators In 2001, Chen Yi was granted the Ives Living Award by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the world’s highest prize for composers. The Academy decided to present her this award not just because of her wide range of music compositions including operas, but for the most important reason that ″the Jury agrees that in her music, the influences and instrumentation of both Chinese and Western music have been integrated with each other so spontaneously and colourfully.″
