Chinese composer Chen Qigang was recently selected to compete in the final of the Masterprize International Composing Competition.
Chen will play the symphony of Wu Xing, or the Five Elements, on October 10 at London's Barbican Center which is the performance stage of the world-famous London Symphony Orchestra.
Initiated by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), EMI record company and the London Symphony Orchestra, the competition aims to attract and cultivate more symphony fans in the world.
After the first and second round heats, Chen was the only Chinese musician ranked among the top 12. All the music pieces competing in the second round have been recorded and released throughout the world.
Music fans were able to vote for the final competitors through the Internet. Some 45 percent of the votes were cast on-line, said organizers.
The four other final competitors are Anthony Iannaccone, Pierre Jalbert and Carter Pann, all from the United States, and Alastair King from the United Kingdom.
(People’s Daily 08/08/2001)