'Journey to the West' composer cheered as hero

By Zhang Rui: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, December 7, 2016

A "Journey to the West" musical concert is held in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The double concerts to celebrate legendary musician Xu Jingqing's classic songs for the popular "Journey to the West" series were successfully held in Beijing on Sunday and Monday as the composer was moved to tears when he saw his 30-year-old dream materialized.

"I want to cry like hell, "Xu, 74, said and took a bow when he was invited on stage, "Thank you all from bottom of my heart."

Before he stepped on stage, he was too afraid to see the concert, fearing it might go wrong, so he stayed in a corner backstage praying all night.

But the concert was too dazzling to fail. The familiar yet fresh arrangement of the music ignited the nostalgia of thou-sands in the crowds who packed the Great Hall of the People in Tian'anmen Square. Many cried listening to the music and soundtracks of their childhood. To them, Xu was a master and hero but who had not yet received his deserved recognition.

The concert invited Dai Yuqiang, a Chinese operatic tenor and the only Chinese student of Luciano Pavarotti, to come and sing along with another famous tenor Ding Yi as well as singer Yang Hongji, folk song diva Zu Hai, singers Zhong Liyan, Chun Lei, Yang Qianlin, Mao Yihan, Huang Qiwen and more. Huang Lijie, co-founder and chief conductor of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) conducted the orchestra.

Besides the stars and musicians, the spectacular stage design, lighting, costume design, group dances, street dances and special effects were also fabulous to watch. Old footage was also playing while the reenactment of roles and scenes from the TV series were staged. The audience responded with loud applause every time a song or a performance was over.

Thousands also sang together with Dai Yuqiang the most classic and iconic song "Dare to Ask Where is the Road."

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