On October 18, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra presented its concert, “Charming France,” at the Shanghai Symphony Hall as part of the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival. The concert featured special guest Alexander Baty, a renowned French trumpet player, who brought an authentic French musical experience to the Chinese audience.
The program included pieces by prominent French composers such as Francis Poulenc’s “Animal Fables,” André Jolivet’s “Little Concerto for Trumpet, Piano, and Strings,” and Claude Debussy’s masterpiece “La Mer.” These three works not only showcased the elegance and poise of French culture but also highlighted the distinct musical styles of their creators. Notably, the first two pieces received their Chinese premieres at this concert.
Poulenc, a member of France’s “Les Six,” holds a significant place in French music. His “Animal Fables,” composed in 1942 and inspired by 17th-century La Fontaine fables, celebrates the French national spirit and culture. Through exquisite orchestration, Poulenc vividly depicts eight scenes, revealing his humorous and whimsical compositional style.
Jolivet, a notable 20th-century French composer influenced by Schoenberg, is known for his use of atonality and Eastern modalities. His “Little Concerto for Trumpet, Piano, and Strings” features innovative harmonies and timbres that produce a unique soundscape.
Artistic Director Zhang Yi shared with reporters, “Poulenc’s works have not been widely performed in China. His ‘Animal Fables’ is an underrated gem that creatively expresses a literary genre through music. Jolivet’s concerto is quite a challenge for trumpet players, as trumpet concertos are rarely seen on the symphonic stage. It’s quite meaningful to present this work at the festival.”
Additionally, the concert included an encore piece, “Me and You,” composed by the famous composer Chen Qigang, which substitutes the trumpet for the male vocal and the violin for the female vocal. Zhang Yi noted the historical connection between French musicians performing the theme song for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and this summer’s Paris Olympic Games, serving as a sincere blessing for peace and a good life.
Celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations between China and France, this year’s festival showcased a variety of French masterpieces, including a solo concert by French violinist Renaud Capuçon, “Anti-Gravity Body” produced by the Chaillot Theatre National de la Danse, and the visual theater “A Taste of Napoleon” by the Théâtre des Esprits. Zhang Yi emphasized that diverse artistic forms will provide audiences with multiple perspectives, deepening their engagement with the vibrant and multifaceted French culture.
