What Chinese person does not know the "The Yellow River Cantata?"

Based on a poem by Guang Weiran and written in 1938 by Xian Xinghai, the work deals with the Chinese people's struggle during the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937-45).

Guang wrote the lyrics after he listened to Yellow River boatmen singing as they battled the violent wind and waves.

Xian then worked tirelessly for six days in a cave to compose the work. Since its debut in April 1939, it has been played extensively throughout China and abroad.

But this latest performance of the famous work will have a difference, this time it will be sung exclusively by foreigners.

The International Festival Chorus, entirely composed of foreigners working in Beijing, will be performing the "Yellow River Cantata" on September 20 at the Forbidden City Concert Hall.

But how does it feel to be a foreigner attempting to perform such a famous Chinese piece?

Conductor Nicholas Smith says: "As foreigners who love music and work in China, we have a responsibility to investigate Chinese music and help make Chinese works international."

"It's fun learning such a well-loved piece. I described it to some Chinese colleagues at a work dinner and soon everyone around the table was singing," says Gillian Cull, a choir member who works at the British Embassy in Beijing.

"The Chorus is very international, but China is the place that we all have in common," she adds.

She also reveals it is a challenge for her and her colleagues.

"I have to practise saying the words very fast. But I also think about what the Yellow River symbolizes to the Chinese people and try to communicate that in the music.

In addition, I have talked a lot to Chinese friends about how they feel about this piece," she says.

The biggest challenge for the conductor is how to make this performance "authentically" Chinese while bringing an "international" perspective to it.

"If the 'Yellow River Cantata' is a truly international work, as I believe it is, we should be able to find many different layers of musical meaning in it, and perform it with our own perspective.

I think we will offer a different angle and a fresh sound for this wonderful piece," said Smith.

The International Festival Chorus, founded by Beijing-based British conductor Nicholas Smith, brings together experienced singers of all nationalities three times a year to perform classical choral works.

Whether singing Stravinsky, China's well-loved "Yellow River Cantata" or early European motets, the International Festival Chorus has a reputation for high-quality choral performances which have swiftly become one of the highlights of Beijing's cultural life.

"We hope our concert is exciting and rewarding for our audiences, helping to bring excellent choral music to an ever-broader audience in China," says Smith.

The exceptional commitment and energy of the members and an intensive rehearsal format allow them to bring a fresh and professional sound to a wide repertoire. The choir made its debut in March 2002, with a sell-out performance of the Mozart Requiem at Beijing's Forbidden City Concert Hall.

Since then the Chorus has gone from strength to strength, performing Tallis' 40-part motet "Spem in Alium," Handel's majestic oratorio "Messiah," and taking part in Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand," with acclaimed conductor Yu Long at the Fifth Beijing Music Festival in October 2002.

(China Daily September 19, 2003)