A bow to Chinese folk history

Sharu Delilkan | 3rd December 2009

A musical piece helped a Half Moon Bay violinist discover his roots. Sharu Delilkan reports.

Youthful violinist Michael You will feel honoured and proud to be a member of Manukau Symphony Orchestra (MSO) when it performs the New Zealand premiere of Xinghai Xian's Yellow River Cantata this week. Xian's composition was the first to integrate Chinese folk melodies and poetry into a Western-style operatic cantata. Xian's work was popular with Chairman Mao's communist regime.

The orchestra's recital, complete with arias, duets, chorus and narration, will mark the 70th anniversary of its composition. For the first half of these concerts,  MSO music director, Uwe Grodd, will team up with prize-winning pianist, Chenyin Li, to present Tchaikovsky's magnificent and popular Piano Concerto.

Born in China and Mandarin-fluent, 18-year-old You says preparing for the concert gave him a wonderful incentive to discover his roots. "Having come here in 1996, I was raised a Kiwi and am more familiar with western than Chinese classical music," he says. "It's also great to delve into the history, especially since Yellow River is a nationalistic, patriotic piece."

You is extremely proud of China's achievements over the last decade.

You has been in the orchestra for four years. During that time, the Half Moon Bay musician's mother, Catherine Hao, has always lent a helping hand. "She's been extremely supportive and has never missed a single concert since I started playing for the MSO."

Besides distributing fliers and bringing her friends to the orchestra's shows, You's mum will welcome the Chinese guests at the concerts.

Xinghai Xian's Yellow River Cantata, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau, Dec 5, 7.30pm, Dec 6, 2.30pm. Tickets: ph 379 7979 or see www.TicketDirect.co.nz