Music: the Great Bridge (China Philharmonic Orchestra performs at Vatican)

WITL & AP ^ | May 8, 2008 | Rocco Palmo

[NYer]

At the close of last night's hourlong performance by the China Philharmonic in the Paul VI Hall, B16 offered the following remarks, as released by the Holy See Press Office:

Dear Friends!

Another high-quality musical performance sees us gathered once again in the Paul VI Audience Hall. For me and for all of us here, it takes on a particular value and meaning. Since it is offered and performed by the China Philharmonic Orchestra and the Shanghai Opera House Chorus, it puts us in touch, as it were, with the living reality of the world of China. I thank the choir and orchestra for this generous tribute and I congratulate the organizers and the artists for their skillful, refined and elegant performance of a musical work that forms part of the artistic heritage of all humanity. In a group of such accomplished artists, we see represented the great cultural and musical tradition of China, and this performance helps us to understand better the history of the Chinese people, their values and their noble aspirations. Heartfelt thanks for this gift! Thanks also for the music that is about to be performed! I extend sincere thanks not only to the promoters and the artists, but to all those who, in different ways, took part in arranging this truly unique event.

It is worth emphasizing that this performance by Chinese artists of one of Mozart’s greatest works brings together their own musical talent and Western music. Conductor Long Yu, with his orchestra, the soloists and the Shanghai Opera House Chorus have comfortably risen to the challenge. Music, and art in general, can serve as a privileged instrument for encounter and reciprocal knowledge and esteem between different populations and cultures; a means attainable by all for valuing the universal language of art.

There is another aspect that I wish to emphasize. I note with pleasure the interest shown by your orchestra and choir in European religious music. This shows that it is possible, in different cultural settings, to enjoy and appreciate sublime manifestations of the spirit such as Mozart’s Requiem which we have just heard, precisely because music expresses universal human sentiments, including the religious sentiment, which transcends the boundaries of every individual culture.

I should also like to say a word regarding this place where we have come together this evening. It is the great hall in which the Pope receives his guests and meets those who come to visit him. It is like a window opening onto the world, a place where people from all over the world often meet, with their own personal stories and their own culture, all of them welcomed with esteem and affection. In greeting you this evening, dear Chinese artists, the Pope intends to reach out to your entire people, with a special thought for those of your fellow citizens who share faith in Jesus and are united through a particular spiritual bond with the Successor of Peter. The Requiem came into being through this faith as a prayer to God, the just and merciful judge, and that is why it touches the hearts of all people, as an expression of humanity’s universal aspirations. Finally, as I thank you once again for this most welcome tribute, I send my greetings, through you, to all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games, an event of great importance for the entire human family.

(in Chinese) I thank you all and I offer you my best wishes.

PHOTO: Reuters(1); Getty(2)

[NYer]

And from ASSOCIATED PRESS - China's reaction.

Pope Benedict XVI greets soprano singer Lan Rao at the end of a concert by the Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra in Paul VI hall at the Vatican May 7, 2008. REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli (VATICAN)

China lauds Chinese orchestra performance at Vatican

China said Thursday that a landmark performance by the China Philharmonic Orchestra at the Vatican will help improve understanding between the two sides.

China is ready to improve relations with the Holy See and music is the "bridge of communication," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a news conference Thursday.

The 75-member orchestra performed for Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday.

"We believe this activity will strengthen our mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples," Qin said.

Ties between the Vatican and China's communist government have been strained for decades, but Qin said Beijing would like to see that change.

"China is ready to improve China-Vatican relations and will make efforts in this regard," Qin said. "We are ready to conduct further dialogue on the basis of fundamental principles."

The pope has said improving relations with China is a priority of his papacy.

China's officially atheist Communist Party cut ties with the Vatican in 1951 and the two sides have never restored formal ties.

Beijing objects to the Vatican's tradition of having the pope name his own bishops, calling it interference in China's affairs.

China appoints bishops for the state-sanctioned Catholic church. Still, many of the country's estimated 12 million Catholics worship in congregations outside the state-approved church.

[kellynla]

China is ready to improve relations with the Holy See and music is the "bridge of communication," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a news conference Thursday.

I guess everyone didn't get that memo. 37-year-old Ms. Gao Rongrong (above), a Shenyang accountant, who suffered severe and prolonged torture that left her face disfigured (below) and, four days ago, resulted in her death.

http://faluninfo.net/DisplayAnArticle.asp?ID=9213

[kellynla]

May 1, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom submits its annual report to the State Department Friday, including a list of nations it says should be treated as the world’s worst persecutors.

At a news conference Thursday on Capitol Hill, commissioners Nina Shea and the Reverend Richard Land left little doubt that they believe China and North Korea should be on that list.
Shea said the Chinese government harasses and detains Christians, Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong practitioners. Land said China also sends Christian refugees back to North Korea, where they can face torture and execution.

Members of Congress at the news conference said China has disgraced itself in advance of this summer’s Beijing Olympics, and several urged President Bush to cancel his plans to attend the opening.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/02/china.religion.ap/index.html?eref=rss_latest

[Huber]

I wonder how many Chinese souls will be touched by this encounter. Often these seemingly small gestures can have the most dramatic effect in transforming and sanctifying all cultures and peoples.