On January 30, 2025, La Maison Symphonique in Montreal was filled with anticipation as it bid a final farewell to the Year of the Dragon and celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Wooden Snake.
The Orchestre FILMharmonique, led with gusto by the talented conductor Francis Choinière, presented a world premiere that left the audience fully engrossed in the Chinese legend of a Dragon.
Canadian composer Christian Thomas’s Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra: “Dragon” was performed by internationally renowned pipa virtuoso Liu Fang, a celebrated figure in the world of Chinese music. The concert, a stunning cultural exchange, brought together the ancient musical traditions of China with the grandeur of Western orchestral sounds, creating a rich and vibrant soundscape that captivated all in attendance.
The “Dragon” concerto, released just weeks earlier on the Canadian label GFN Classics, has already been making waves in the music world. Its themes, rooted in the Chinese mythology of the dragon, explore the creature’s evolution from a fledgling, innocent being to a wise and protective emperor. The composition is a tale of dualities—strength and vulnerability, darkness and light—woven together through music that is as emotionally complex as the mythical figure it represents.
The concerto, divided into four movements, traced the Dragon’s journey: The Dance of the Baby Dragon, Time Has Gone, Time Has Come…, The Guardian, and The Dragon Emperor. Each movement was rich with emotion, from the playful, exploratory energy of the baby dragon, to the solemn introspection of the Dragon’s awakening, to the fierce protection of its world, and finally the triumphant wisdom of the Dragon Emperor.
Liu Fang, whose mastery of the pipa and technical brilliance, has earned her titles such as “The Empress of Pipa,” brought an exquisite sensitivity to the work. As Thomas notes, the pipa’s distinctive expressiveness was central to realizing the protective and benevolent character of the Dragon, a symbol of positive energy and strength in Chinese culture. Through her delicate yet powerful playing, Liu Fang bridged East and West, offering Western audiences a fresh and uplifting vision of this mythical creature, one that contrasts with the more sinister portrayal often found in Western traditions.
Also featured in the evening’s program was He Zhanhao and Chen Gang’s romantic “Butterfly Lovers” Violin Concerto, one of the most famous and beloved pieces in the Chinese classical music repertoire and performed with much sensitivity by violinist Guillaume Villeneuve ( 2023 Opus Award for “Discovery of the Year,” and founding member of the Cobalt Quartet, for which he serves as artistic director.
His rendition of the tragic tale of young lovers, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, who, despite their deep love for each other, are kept apart by social constraints and eventually are transformed into butterflies upon their deaths, was emotion-filled with sweeping , lyrical passages that conveyed to the audience the lovers’ quest for eternal love and freedom.
The wrap the evening , Igor Stravinsky’s iconic Firebird Suite added to the evening’s thrilling atmosphere, with the FILMharmonique Orchestra delivering each piece with precision and passion.
For more information about GFN’s operations, productions and their up-coming concerts such as the up-coming : Music at the Movies – A Tribute to Ennio Morricone, please visit : https://gfnproductions.ca/productions/matm-ennio-morricone/
The premiere of Christian Thomas’ Dragon” was a moment of cultural dialogue that brought to life a captivating story, but have also fostered a meaningful connection between Eastern and Western musical traditions. deeply with all who attended.
The Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra “Dragon” is available now on all streaming platforms through GFN Classics. For those who missed the live performance, this album promises to bring the magic of the night into their homes.
For more information on the album, visit : https://gfn-classics.lnk.to/concerto-pipa-dragon