A man who sets the tone

The performance of Swan Lake was successful and Zhang Yi, as a young conductor, was recognized by audiences and critics and achieved renown on the classical music scene.

For Zhang Yi, the collaboration taught him that a ballet conductor must not only do everything a symphony orchestra conductor does in the concert hall, but is also required to work with choreographers and dancers. Unlike performing a concert, the interpretation of the music must be closely connected with the dancers, yet still remain true to the composer's intention.

"It takes considerable artistry for the conductor to instantly adjust the music to what the dancers are doing, or adjust the music to what the conductor feels the dancer is capable of doing at that precise moment," says Zhang Yi. To reach that level of collaborative artistry, the ballet conductor must not only know the music, but also the choreography, as well as the abilities and personalities of the individual dancers.

Unlike a recording, every performance to live music is slightly different and all the dancers must constantly adjust to subtle changes in tempo and mood, he adds.

After that first experience of conducting a ballet piece, Zhang returned to his regular performances, spending a large portion of his time conducting operas and symphonic works, as well as teaching at the university.

In 2001, when Zhang pursued a master's degree in the Hochschule fur Musik Saar (University of Music Saar), with renowned German conductor Max Pommer as his teacher, he was invited by the National Ballet of China to conduct its ballet piece, Raise the Red Lantern.

Adapted from the movie of the same name, the ballet piece was directed by Zhang Yimou, who was also the film's director, composed by Chen Qigang and choreographed by Wang Xinpeng.