Music as a Bridge Between Two Rivers | The China–Russia "Two Rivers, One Road" Music Tour Held in Chongqing

When the lilting melodies of the Volga met the mighty roar of the Yangtze, a cross-border dialogue of civilizations unfolded in Chongqing. On the afternoon of December 12, the China–Russia "Two Rivers, One Road" Music Tour (Chongqing Station) launched in Chongqing—jointly hosted by the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and Chongqing Normal University, with strong support from Chongqing Culture and Tourism Group, and organized with the assistance of Chongqing Grand Theatre Management Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Preschool Education College.

As a significant practice in deepening China–Russia cultural and humanitarian exchange under the framework of the China–Russia Years of Culture, this series of events built a bridge for the mutual appreciation of the two great river civilizations. On the afternoon of December 12, artists from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory—one of the world's premier music institutions—held a masterclass exchange at the Musical Theatre Education Center of the Chongqing Grand Theatre.

That evening, the Grand Theatre's mid-sized hall was packed to the rafters, with thunderous applause. Fifteen classic works from China and Russia unfurled a resplendent musical scroll of civilizational exchange: Russian classics such as the Nutcracker Overture, lilting and graceful, displayed the artistic heritage of the Slavic peoples; Chinese masterpieces such as the Theme and Variations on the Song of the Yangtze River, grand and sweeping, conveyed the spiritual power of Chinese culture. Violin, cello, and piano solos along with a woodwind quintet took the stage in turn, as the musical vocabularies of East and West met, resonated, and flourished together.

In addition, the delegation visited Lehe Ledu for an immersive on-site study tour, exploring the wildlife park and observing giant pandas and other rare animals up close. They then proceeded to Chongqing Preschool Education College, bringing students and faculty an up-close music performance and professional guidance, and creating a rich international atmosphere on campus. Finally, the delegation traveled to Wanzhou to visit the Chongqing Three Gorges Migration Memorial Hall and stage a special performance there—letting the voice of China–Russia friendship ring out across the Mountain City and beyond.

First Review: Dong Yatong, Deng Meiting

Second Review: Xu Xiaojing

Third Review: Wu Jingyu

Editor-in-Charge: Gao Jingli