As the final note of the Butterfly Lovers High-pitched Huqin Concerto delicately floated through the air like a graceful butterfly taking flight, 90-year-old He Zhanhao slowly lowered the conductor's baton from
The members of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and the audience in attendance all rose to their feet, a collective gesture of respect for the maestro. The theater erupted in thunderous applause and jubilant cheers, echoing through the space, a seemingly unending symphony of appreciation.
Strong as an oak, he stood tall on the conductor's podium. His commanding presence filled the air, his gestures exuding strength and purpose. And yet, throughout the entire performance, not once did his eyes glance at the sheet music. This is a magnum opus that had woven itself into the very fabric of his artistic existence, a Chinese orchestral masterpiece he had co-created at the tender age of 26.
The Butterfly Lovers is a Chinese legend centered around the tragic romance between Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, considered as the Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet. The eponymous iconic musical composition weaves a tale of forbidden love, sacrifice, and tragedy, much like Shakespeare's renowned play.
Why would people instantly fall in love with the Butterfly Lovers? The answer from the composer-cum-conductor is that the classic is imbued with the essence of Chinese culture, deeply rooted in the vast expanse of China's folk traditions.
"China is brimming with folk songs and traditional operas that are not the work of any individual, but rather the heartfelt expressions of the common people," he said. "They sing about the emotions and experiences found in labor and love, infusing music with sentiment and life."
He went on to recall the composition of the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto as an example of tapping into one of China's rich traditions: Yue Opera. It is a traditional Chinese opera originating from the coastal Zhejiang Province, characterized by its melodic and lyrical style, elaborate costumes, and graceful movements.
Having grown up listening to Yue Opera under the guidance of his grandmother and later working with a Yue Opera troupe for several years, he eventually found inspiration within the realm of the tradition itself.
He initially composed a quartet version of the Butterfly Lovers and later invited Chen Gang, a composition professor, to join him in the creative process. Guided by their mentor, the two musicians merged elements of traditional Chinese suite music with the structure of Western sonatas, resulting in the successful creation of the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto.
"When my classmates first heard it, they were all amazed and jokingly asked, 'Which concerto did you plagiarize this melody from?' And I replied, 'It's all from Yue Opera!'"
In the year 2000, Radio Television Hong Kong organized a people's choice vote under the theme of "My Ten Favorite Symphonic Works of the Millennium." Butterfly Lovers was selected as the only Chinese work.
It was a remarkable moment when the composer of the piece arrived in Hong Kong to receive the award. The scene from that year remains vivid in his memory. This accolade held great significance for him since it was entirely based on votes from the audience.
In his mind, the ultimate judges of music were the listeners themselves. He believed that the true measure of a work's greatness lies not in its awards but in its wide-reaching dissemination and enduring impact.
"The Butterfly Lovers shares a profound connection with Hong Kong," he said. "As an East-meets-West hub for cultural exchange, Hong Kong serves as both a window to China and a window to the world. I hope to see more Chinese musical works reaching the global stage through Hong Kong."
In his music career of more than half a century, He has continued to search for ways to add Chinese flavor to foreign musical forms and introduce modern features to Chinese traditional music.
With a twinkle in his eye, He quipped that he still possesses a surplus of energy and a sharp mind. Engaging in music composition, preservation, and teaching, he continues to be actively involved in the field. Furthermore, his nationwide concert tour in celebration of his 90th birthday is currently in full swing.
"I hope that talented young musicians can master the language of our national music and create more remarkable works, bringing the wondrous beauty of Chinese music to the world's ears," he said.
