Member’s Name: Huang Yueyang
Instrument: Zhonghu

Attending this concert was an unforgettable experience. The two erhu masters, Li Baoshun and Zhao Jianhua, performed with incredible skill and emotion, bringing the music to life. I especially enjoyed 《光明行》, as the flowing bow movements and expressive tones made me feel deeply touched. Each piece seemed to tell a story, conveying emotions like nostalgia and peace. I also learned that Chinese traditional music, even without words, can communicate so much through technique and feeling. Overall, this concert was not only entertaining but also inspiring, leaving me with a deeper appreciation for erhu music and traditional Chinese melodies.

Member’s Name: Matthew Ling Kanyawongha
Instrument: Zhonghu

This was my first SCO bowed strings concert and I really enjoyed it! The repertoire chosen for this concert was more traditional and it was refreshing to listen to these pieces.

Out of all the pieces performed that evening, my favourite piece is the Erhu work, Towards A Bright Future. I greatly appreciated this new arrangement for string ensemble, as each instrument had its own moment to shine. When the different string instruments came together, it created a rich harmony that was really pleasant to listen to.

Throughout the concert, I was mesmerized by both Li laoshi’s and Zhao laoshi’s performances, their technique and precision when playing the Erhu are really admirable. The pieces “Hymn of Idleness” and “’Nostalgia” were very beautifully played and really soothing to listen to.

Member’s Name: Wen Ruohan
Instrument: Erhu

A moment that truly left me in awe was the world premiere of the string ensemble version of 《光明行》 . As someone who has practiced this piece myself, hearing it reimagined for a full orchestra was a breathtaking experience. However, my personal favorite piece of the night was “《豫北叙事曲》，I saw how the player used vibrato and made the music soft or loud. It was beautiful. I will try to do this when I practice my erhu.

Member’s Name: Faith Wang MuChen
Instrument: Erhu

The concert was truly enriching. Hearing familiar pieces brought a sense of connection and nostalgia, reminding me of past moments associated with the music. At the same time, the performers’ technical precision and expressive delivery made each moment captivating, as if every phrase had been carefully shaped to convey a specific emotion.

Beyond the notes themselves, the atmosphere of the live performance heightened the entire experience. The acoustics allowed the sound to bloom naturally in the space, revealing subtle details and nuances that often get lost in recordings. You could feel the emotional energy of the performers—their breath, their intensity, and their interaction with one another—which added a layer of authenticity and immediacy.

The audience’s quiet anticipation, the shared silence before a piece began, and the collective applause afterwards all contributed to a sense of community. It felt like everyone in the hall was part of the same emotional journey. Overall, the concert offered not just music, but a deeply immersive experience that simply cannot be replicated through speakers or headphones.