The Czech orchestra, conducted by the troupe's permanent conductor Wang Jin, an overseas Chinese, performed Shostakovich's "Festival Overture," George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," Smetana's "Vltavou" and three Dvorak masterpieces.

The Czech artists skillfully used wind and brass instruments to present a vivid picture of their country's famed river, the Vltavou, drawing warm applause from the Chinese audience.

The overseas orchestra also played a concerto together with Chinese erhu artist Li Yuanyuan, combining western style rhythms with Chinese folk music.

The Chinese orchestra played a number of Chinese traditional pieces, including songs adapted from Beijing Opera and folk songs that reflect different artistic styles in different geographical areas of China.

Compositions by Academy Award winner Tan Dun were also on the program.

According to the organizer, China Performance Arts Agency, the Czech orchestra, founded in 1926, is among the Czech Republic's first-class artistic troupes. The orchestra was invited to perform at "Prague Spring," considered one of the world's best-known annual music galas.

The 41-year-old Chinese orchestra represents the highest state of China's national music. In 1998 and 1999, it was invited to hold the New Year's Concert in Vienna. In 2000, it staged a concert in the United Nations. [End Xinhua News Agency report]

Meanwhile, the Czech orchestra had to overcome considerably difficulties to carry out their part of Saturday night’s performance. According to the Chinese language newspaper, the Beijing Morning Post:

The Czech National Broadcasting Symphony orchestra, scheduled to perform “Golden Spring” at the Great Hall of the People Saturday night, arrived in Beijing Thursday only to find ten pieces of luggage missing. The luggage contained musical scores, some percussion instruments, and formal concert attire.

Wang Jin, the permanent conductor of the Czech National Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, said the orchestra transferred to Swiss Airlines at the Zurich Airport before arriving in Beijing Thursday. They discovered their luggage missing on landing. The Swiss Airline understood the seriousness of the situation and immediately issuing a “wanted” notice for the luggage. But so far no information at all.

“It seems like they just evaporated,” Wang Jin said, adding that even if the orchestra could borrow the musical scores in Beijing, the versions might be different. Besides since both the conductor and players mark musical scores, the concert would have to lose some of its style without their own scores. Musical instruments could be borrowed but the difference of quality and sound also might influence their performance.

“In case of emergency, we may have to change the program,” Wang Jin said.

Organizers said they were trying hard to solve the problem in Beijing in regard to the instruments and the musical scores.

“No big deal!” Wang Jin said. “The Czech National Broadcasting’s advantage is that we can quickly adjust to new programs.”

(Concert review by Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2001; 北京晨报Beijing Morning Post] story, December 29, by Li Cheng, translated for china.org.cn by Zheng Guihong)