---- Appraisal on musicals of Jiali Zhu’s solo Concert
by Zhang Xin, famous music critic traveling to America

The solo concert starred by the well-known Chinese youth singer Jiali Zhu ("Julia") is going to raise its curtain in Houston USA, under the great expectations of the numerous music fans. Named as “Redwood, a Musical Invitation of Sino-US Friendship”, this concert is organized in response to former President George H.W. Bush’s invitation and staged through the joint persistent efforts and comprehensive planning of USCF, General Counsel of China and Houston Overseas Chinese Association as an influential event in Sino-US culture exchange field.

Before the début of this concert, the music fans are probably more concerned with what kind of concert is going to be presented by our culture ambassador Jiali Zhu? This article serves as an introduction to the music works to be performed by Julia and relevant backgrounds in order to facilitate the complete appraisal and comprehension of these works by the audience, especially some classic works not familiar to friends from overseas.

Opening the menu of this concert, the first impression on me is the classic nature of the works. The first song “Redwood” underlines the theme of this concert: back to 35 years ago, when the formal Sino-US relationship was established, the president of the United States at that time Mr. Nixon sent an American Redwood tree to China as a gift which was settled down at the bank of the beautiful West Lake-where both Mr. Nixon and former Premier Zhou Enlai once lingered. From then on, the Redwood as the symbol of Sino-US friendship became the theme enthusiastically eulogized by artists. Composed by the famous Chinese musician Shen Chuanxin, this song has enjoyed great popularity through out the country since released. Its rhythm is elegant and stretched, lucid and lively, enthusiastic and ebullient. “At the bank of the beautiful West Lake/ there is a Redwood tree /that crosses the great sea, and comes from the coast of the other side/ moistened with dew of friendship”……At that time, this piece of song was performed by the famous soprano Zhu Pengbo and greatly welcomed around the country; today, the new star Julia is going to heritage the predecessor, which is a great deed in the Chinese music world. In order to spare this great deed, the composer of this song Mr. Shen Chuanxin re-composed the song by himself for Julia.

“A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge” is another piece of classic song of art which was produced by Li Haiying, the modern Chinese music composer, music theoretician, educator of music, music activitist, professor and Vice dean of Chinese Conservatory of Music who passed away not long ago. This piece of song is quoted as the representative of new time classic Chinese songs of art. Li Haiying created a series of songs “Three pieces of poem of Tang Dynasty”, one of which is this song of solo for tenor “A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge”, has become mile stone. Mr. Li composed this series of songs by way of the alternation of semi syllables on the stance of tonality of music which perfectly integrated with the rhyme of Chinese folk poem and is regarded as the landmark in music history. This piece of song won the gold medal in the “Competition of creation of artistic songs of China for 1980s”. Honestly speaking, “A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge” enriches the treasury of Chinese folk songs of art and therefore becomes one of the mostly performed songs in concerts. “Moon's down, crows cry and the frost fills all the sky/Neath the night sky the frost casts a haze/Few fishing-boat lights of the river side village Are dozing off in their mutual sad gaze/From the Cold Hill Bonzary outside, The city wall of Gusu town, The resounding bell is tolling its clangour /At midnight to the passenger ship down”…… That said, it is fairly rare to have opportunity to enjoy songs in such high standard overseas. As a student with mater degree from Chinese Conservatory of Music, Julia has her own unique non-conventional interpretation of this posthumous work of Mr. Li.

Next, I note that there are two pieces of western classic works: “Susanne Deh vieni, non tardar” of Mozart and “Ah, non credea mi rarti La son nambula” of Bellini. The former is a well-known piece of song from the Opera “The Marriage of Figaro”, one of the ten world top operas. Operas were the main form of creation of Mozart, who started his experience of opera composition since 11 years old, and together he composed 17 operas during his lifetime. It was in his last ten years of life (1782—1791) that his opera creation reached its peak period, when he completed the Italian comedy Opera “The Marriage of Figaro”. The four acts opera of “The Marriage of Figaro” describes the struggle between a civilian Figaro against his master Count who coveted after Figaro’s beautiful fiancée Susanna, and Figaro wins the victory with his adroitness and sense of humor. In order to punish the Count, the Countess plots with Figaro and Susanna to trapped and made fun of the Count by writing a letter inviting the Count to the garden at night. The Count is over happy with this letter. After dressed himself up, he goes punctually for the date. In the darkness the Count is caught singing eagerly and attentively to Susanna disguised by his wife. When the Count is exposed, he is delighted to rediscover the playful and clever woman the Countess was when he first wooed her. He apologizes and recommits himself to her. The clever Figaro wins the complete victory and has his wedding ceremony with Susanna. In the fourth Act, Susanna and the Countess are successfully mistaken for each other, when Susanna discovered that Figaro is hidden and squeezing at them, she intentionally sings to make her lover anxious--- “The wonderful time is coming; it is so happy and fantastic to be in the arms of lover’s! Depression is gone and nobody could interrupt my happiness. Ah, what charming sight it is and everything nice is filled with the air of love. The night is so quiet, and the wonderful time is coming. Come, my Sweet! Through the green wood, come, come, devoting the rose wreath and my heart to you……”. Last year was the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart, and the celebrations in memory of this master of music rushed the world. “The Marriage of Figaro” is one of the most well-known opera of Mozart, and also one of the most popular pieces with Chinese music fans. This opera, which was completed in 1786, serves as an introductory to enjoy operas of Mozart. As one important piece of song from “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Susanne Deh vieni, non tardar” is going to be performed by Julia for Houston audience to re-present the elegant demeanor of this talented composer.

“Ah, non credea mi rarti La son nambula” is one synopses from Bellini’s three Acts opera “La son nambula”. “La son nambula” was composed in 1831 by Bellini when he was 30 years old, and this opera is one of the most perfect and featured works of him. In the early twentieth century, when it was the mature and glorious period for ‘Bel Canto’, blended with the sentimental music trend of the romantic music school, the shinning area for the quality and quantity of Italian operas blossomed. Gioacchino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Bellini took the lead of this era. Italian composers of operas usually had their own unique styles, but they all abide by the custom of taking the song of the music as the essence. Tenuous and meticulous, no one could beat Bellini in this regard. The music of Bellini was elegant and delicate with strong sense of poem, and the “La son nambula” is the most outstanding piece. Bellini’s works are pure, lively and graceful, combined with classical style and romantic delight. The rhythm is a masterly combination of sorrow and elegant, full of glamour. Highly difficult paragraphs for ‘Bel Canto’ usually appear in his works, but the most skillful pieces are not for pure flaunt of skill, rather they are a blend of moving and fantastic rhythms, in this regard, he is regarded as the Chopin of music of opera. It requires that the performers must have superior vocal music skills and art mastery to perform this song. In the history, many famous vocalists like Pasta, Malibran, Persiani, Grisi, and Jenny Lind all competed to lead in this opera as Amina. I am a little surprised to learn that, Julia, educated with folk music singing method, bravely challenges one of the highly skillful pieces of music from this Italian opera, and I am also gratified that the music lovers of Houston are going to entertain their ears too the full. 

Besides the classic nature presented by this concert, the diversity and differentiation of music styles gives me deep impression. From my experiences, I believe only those mature singers could master various music styles and combine music elements from different countries, ethics and times. But my impression of young Julia makes me hard to believe that she can master and lead various military branches to fight jointly as a battle-hardened commander---like Napoleon and Zhukov did (please forgive me as a military fan for making improper analogy here). The far-reaching and sweep line of rhythm of “Yearing” (folk song of the Chinese minority ethnic of Uygur ) brings the sense of hearing to feel the bright sunlight of Pamirs Plateau, pure white snow, and over grass that the wind of west land has battered low; sheep and oxen roam. From “A Night Mooring by Maple Bridge” to feel the clear and far-reaching, euphemistic and touching flowing chant in a plaintive voice; then switch to the angle like charming smile and the immortal dimly sorrow from the impish cheerfulness of Mozart; From the strong voice of the time “That is me” song by Gu Jianfen, which touches the hearts of millions of audience, to the everlasting ripples of water and the irreplaceable delicate aria of Bellini……However, she makes me believe that she will convey all these feelings with her pure and pretty voice because she is one of the most excellent vocalists educated in two of the most top colleges of China ( Shenyang Conservatory of Music and Chinese Conservatory of Music).

The first song of the second half of the concert makes me smile from the heart, as I see the “Summertime” of George Gershwin. Although this name is not unfamiliar to our Chinese living overseas, I still would like to talk about him with a few paragraphs. When his name is mentioned, the first things come to people’s mind are “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris”.

George Gershwin held important position in American music history. The American music has long been influenced by European main stream music and the music with American national character did not appear until the early Twentieth Century leading by Gershwin. He was the first to combine serious and popular music, with European music of art, jazz and songs of the black, to create jazz concerto, which became one feature of American music. The most outstanding piece is “Rhapsody in Blue”, regarded as the first successful tempt to “release jazz bands from the doors of pubs”. His stage dramas and songs for movies then became the standards for compositions of jazz or musicals. “Rhapsody in Blue”, publicized in 1924, won great success and made him world class composers. “An American in Paris” was inspired by a trip that the Gershwins took in to Europe in the spring of 1928. From 1930s, he moved to Hollywood where he wrote for several films. In 1932, Gershwin's musical “Of Thee I Sing” was the first musical to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Gershwin did not find initial success with his 1935 opera “Porgy and Bess”. Based on the novel Porgy by the American writer DuBose Heyward, and set among the poor of the South, “Porgy and Bess” was Gershwin's greatest undertaking.

“Summertime” was selected from his three Acts musical opera “Porgy and Bess”. This opera was first staged at the Colony theatre on September 30, 1935 in Boston, which was the first musical opera of the black and also the first jazz played at theatre in the form of musical opera. It was revived on Broadway in 1942 and 1953 and made into a motion picture in 1959. The opera tells the story of a disabled beggar Porgy in Charleston,S.C. who falls in love with a prostitute Bess, and their pursuit of release for freedom. The popular names of songs like “Summertime ”，“I love you, Porgy ” and “Bess, you is my women now ” have long been resang and interpreted by numerous jazz singers. The story was Set in the black quarter of Charleston. At the beginning, several couples of black men and women dance enthusiastically with the companion of the blues, when Clara, nursing her baby and singing a lullaby, "Summertime"---- "Summertime, And the livin' is easy/Fish are jumpin'/And the cotton is high/Your daddy's rich/And your mamma's good lookin'/ So hush little baby/Don't you cry"…… Unique in style, this musical opera is mainly of jazz music and in adoption of the spirit of the black in composition, which won special popularity among the American people. Some of the songs like “It Ain't Necessarily So”, “Bess, You is my woman now”, “There’s a Boat Dat’s leavin’ soon for New York”, “Bess, I love you”, and “Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way” have been passed for generations. The American critics regarded this opera as“the greatest devotion made by Gershwin to American music”.

Therefore, it is not exaggerating to evaluate Gershwin as the symbol of American spirit in respect of music. This song is not only a piece of American folk song, but also enjoys great popularity around the world and is quoted as the “cradle song of America”.

A Chinese girl is going to perform this master piece of music describing the idyllic life of the farms in Southern America, which interests me most. This is not only because of the large differences from the styles of songs of the first half of the concert, but also the impromptu and discretion in the performance of jazz. Both the tune and conception of “Summertime” are elegant and touching, attracting many jazz singers compete to resing and interpret it, thus, this song has become one of the standard songs of jazz music. If you have listened to different versions of “Summertime”, you will find out that every version has its own taste. This is where the charm of jazz lies---“impromptu, impromptu, and never repeat”, even the same performer will have completely different delicate interpretations with the variation of mood in different time and environment. I believe, this song is an unusual challenge to every singers especially singers with different culture background from the eastern. The performance of Julia is definitely a “Summertime” of Julia’s version.

Till now, Julia is not satisfied with her exploration, Huagu opera---“Wedding-ring” and the synopses from the master piece of Beijing Opera “Farewell My Concubine”---“The magnate inside curtain” will add to the colorfulness of her music style. Huagu opera of Hunan province has a history of more than 200 years, and the operas passed through generations to today are mainly original folk songs, mountain songs, city tunes and minors of stringed and woodwind Music, which still remain in their originality. “Wedding-ring” is one of the most outstanding pieces. In the domestic entertainment circle, quite a few girls from Hunan walked out of there with the songs of Huagu opera, and then traveled around the country. Some of the excellent students of Julia’s Master degree Professor and Dean of Chinese Conservatory of Music Mr. Jin Tielin are Huagu opera singers including the most well-known Li Guyi. So, that is why it is fairly important for Chinese singers to study and perform Huagu operas. In the profound treasury of Chinese music, Hunan folk songs are one of the amazing landscapes. This Hunan folk song “Wedding-ring” will conquer the American audience with its natural, fluent, proud and humorous Huashe tune that is full of the taste of life, in the same way the Hunan cuisine conquered former President George H.W. Bush. I wish her name will be remembered by the Houston audience depending on this “Wedding-ring”. She told me that Beijing opera is one of the subjects she specially selected. For those fans of national opera, “Farewell My Concubine” performed by Julia is worth listening. “The magnate inside curtain”, a tune name of Southern Bang Zi (wood block) of Beijing opera was the superb craft of Mr. Mei Lanfang. I have listened to the original recording of his performance of this tune, and every time when he sang “I walk out of the curtain and stroll away the sorrow”, a burst of applause and screaming from the audience would follow. Beijing opera represents the profoundness of Chinese culture, and for a Chinese singer, traditional opera itself is an indispensable fundamental skill. I greatly admire Julia’s insight and agree with her special favor of the essence of eastern culture. If it were not for this tune that she is going to perform, I would never have a chance to play the accompaniment for her in this concert. As her fellow countryman and fellow traveler on the way of pursuing music, it is my great pleasure to have this opportunity of cooperation with her. 

To end this article, I remembers the CD of Julia’s performance as a gift from her. I put it into the player and pressed the start button, and then the song of “Goodbye New York” written by Minister Li Zhaoxing and composed by Mr. Han Kewen drifted out like pure sweet tinkling fountain and infiltrated into my heart. I thought, isn’t it that wonderful moment that is expected by an artist keeping on study for more than ten years?