Live Recording of "Celebration" - for Pipa with Mixed Chinese and Western Orchestras by Gao Hong (World Premiere) GAO HONG, PIPA, DENNIS FRIESEN-CARPER, CONDUCTOR. KENWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, CARLETON COLLEGE CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE on April 3rd, 2022 at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN. In China, we have many festivals that we celebrate each year. In this piece I use drum and pipa solos interspersed with instrumental passages to create joyful rhythms and melodies that depict the festive atmosphere of families gathering together in a festival. The slow middle section reveals the peoples' yearning for peace, prosperity and happiness. This pipa concerto version was composed specifically for today's concert in celebration of making music with friends around the world. The original orchestral version was commissioned by the Minnesota Sinfonia. Unknown behind-the-scenes story about this performance: The Kenwood Symphony Orchestra has supported Gao Hong from the very early stages of her career in America. Back in 1997 at Walker Art Center, they became the first community orchestra that featured Gao Hong as a soloist. In appreciation of their 25 years of support, Gao Hong invited them to join her in today's celebration. During the War in Ukraine in March 2022, the KSO conductor had to go back to Ukraine to take care of his mother. 10 days before the concert I needed to find a new conductor. Fortunately, a good friend and musical partner, Dennis Friesen-Carper - a versatile conductor and composer - stepped in to help out. We only had one rehearsal with the KSO during the Carleton spring break and at that rehearsal we only had three Carleton students who were able to make the rehearsal. When Carleton's spring term began, we only had one hour to rehearse with just the Carleton Chinese Music Ensemble. Basically, we had no time to rehearse with both mixed Chinese and Western orchestras at all. The only rehearsal we had was on the day of the concert, where we only had time for a a10-minutes run- through. I couldn't be more proud of all the musicians who performed so beautifully! THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU ALL!!! For More Comments Please Visit: https://chinesepipa.com/AUDIENCE.html or https://chinesepipa.com/OrdwayConcert.html