On the evening of March 28, the Hohhot Philharmonic Orchestra, in collaboration with conductor Tristan Rais-Sherman and the legendary pianist Liu Mengjie, presented an awe-inspiring musical feast to Qingcheng’s music lovers with Tchaikovsky’s fiery poetic expressions and Dvořák’s Symphony of Destiny.

The concert opened with Tchaikovsky’s Second Piano Concerto. From the moment pianist Liu Mengjie’s fingertips touched the keys, the grand opening surged forth like the mighty Volga River. Conductor Rais-Sherman, with precise and flexible gestures, wove a dynamic balance between the piano and the orchestra—ensuring that the characteristic romantic torrent of Tchaikovsky’s work did not overwhelm the orchestra’s delicate textures, while cleverly unleashing Liu Mengjie’s explosive energy. His performance was nothing short of a “symphony of resilience and poetic beauty.” He handled the highly challenging rapid passages with apparent ease, and in the adagio sections, a nearly transparent fragility shone through. Under Sherman’s guidance, the orchestra both supported the piano’s brilliance like majestic mountains and, through delicate pianissimo passages, became the echo of the piano’s voice. When the final movement—a folk dance—abruptly halted amidst the booming timpani, thunderous applause followed, as if the audience and the performers were together immersed in the rich and nuanced emotional world of Tchaikovsky.

In the second half, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 in D minor, acclaimed as his most romantically colored symphonic work, took center stage. Conductor Sherman, with near-ascetic precision and surging dramatic tension, unleashed an unprecedented energy within the orchestra. From the first movement’s brooding undercurrent in the lower strings to the overwhelming triumphant horns of the final movement, Sherman’s baton acted as a beacon in the storm—its incisive, syncopated rhythms sculpting the sharp contours of Bohemian folk dances, while its lingering breath transformed lyrical passages into heart-wrenching laments. Most astonishing was his mastery over the orchestra’s tone. In the second movement, the stark contrast between the solitary, plaintive clarinet solo and the string section’s swelling crescendo was striking. This extreme contrast between restraint and eruption not only tested the orchestra’s technical endurance but also testified to the absolute trust forged during rehearsals. That evening’s concert undoubtedly showcased Sherman’s precise grasp of the profound spiritual essence underlying both works.

Classical art possesses the power to transcend time and space. What we listened to was not merely music, but also youth, freedom, and the radiance of human nature. We are grateful to every artist who, through music, builds bridges between the shared emotions of humanity, allowing us to encounter eternal charm on that splendid spring night.

Hohhot Philharmonic Orchestra - Timeless Romance and Stirring Emotions