On the afternoon of April 8th, invited by the Central Conservatory of Music and China National Symphony Orchestra, the renowned Russian composer, pianist, and music activist Rodion Shchedrin, and his wife, the renowned Russian dancer Maya Plisetskaya, visited CCOM. Professor Shchedrin gave a lecture in the Recital Hall at CCOM. Before the lecture, the President of CCOM, Professor Wang Cizhao delivered a warm speech to welcome the maestro and invited him to serve as Honorary Professor of CCOM solemnly. Professor Shchedrin accepted the appointment letter with pleasure and expressed his heartfelt thanks.
In the lecture, Shchedrin firstly introduced the social changes that have happened in Russia since the former Soviet Union period, and their influence on musicians' life and composition. He addressed that, "No matter which period we live in, we should always remember the sublime in art," and "the artistic composition should never be trammeled by any doctrines."
Maestro then interpreted his Piano Concerto No. 5 and Cello Concerto No.1 dedicated to the renowned cellist Rostropovich respectively. According to the questions from the audiences, Shchedrin talked about his compositional experiences and some profound understandings on art and artist. The audiences benefited a great deal from his lecture.
Shchdrin mentioned, when he was composing this cello concerto, he considered the special timber of cello and Rostropovich's fabulous bowing technique on the right hand as the fundamental elements of music. He also talked about opera writing. Maestro stressed that the best way is to compose both libretto and music by composer himself/herself. Among his five operas, Shchedrin composed four librettos except his first opera. For Shchedrin, Shostakovitch is a very important figure in modern music history. He addressed that Shostakovitch is not only a great composer, but also a great human being. His influence on the world will last forever.
Before he finished his lecture, maestro specially mentioned that the profound friendship established since the former Soviet Union period between Chinese and Russian artists would be continued and made great influence globally on the development of music culture. At the end, he dedicated the recordings and scores of his works to the library of CCOM.
Professors of composition department, Wu Zuqiang, Liu Lin, Yang Ruhuai, Su Xia, Duan Pingtai, Li Jiti, etc., alumnus of CCOM Lin Tao who will conduct the China National Symphony Orchestra on the concert of 13th, and other teachers and students of composition department attended the lecture. Chair of composition department, Professor Tang Jianping hosted the lecture and Professor of musicology department, Huang Xiaohe was in charge of translation.
On the afternoon of 9th, Professor Shchedrin gave a master class to the students of composition department. He will also attend the concert on 13th that China National Symphony Orchestra will perform four compositions by Chinese and Russian composers, including two compositions by Professor Shchedrin.
