The sixth edition of the 5.23 Music Festival, an annual event organized by the Central Conservatory of Music, is running until July 3 in Beijing, Yan'an in Shaanxi province, Lankao county in Henan province, and Dunhuang in Gansu province. The festival will feature live concerts and art educational programs.
Launched in 2019, the festival commemorates the historic speech delivered by Chairman Mao Zedong on art and literature on May 23, 1942, in Yan'an, a significant revolutionary hub in Shaanxi.
The opening concert on May 23, conducted by Yu Feng, the president of the Central Conservatory of Music, took place at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. The performance showcased the choral symphony Guang Yao Shen Zhou, composed by Chang Ping and with lyrics by Feng Yu. This four-movement piece captures the majestic natural landscapes of China, the industrious Chinese populace, and extends well wishes to the nation.
Simultaneously, another concert was held at the Yan'an Grand Theater in Yan'an on the same day, featuring conductor Chen Bing and the Chinese Chamber Orchestra of the Central Conservatory of Music. The program included a repertoire of 11 chamber music pieces, blending contemporary compositions with classical works.
