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Commemorating the 130th anniversary of Mr. Xu Beihong’s birth, a unique artistic feast that merges painting with music converged upon the Hanlin School within the Futian Experimental Education Group. This campus event, under the “Xu Beihong’s Brushstrokes: A Chinese Symphony” series, was jointly hosted by the Publicity Department and United Front Work Department of the Futian District Committee and produced by the Xu Beihong Art Committee and Shenzhen Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center. Presented as a “Musical Salon: Impromptu of Sound and Canvas,” it provided faculty and students with a refined artistic encounter, masterfully interweaving visual and auditory senses while fusing historical depth with humanistic spirit.
The event began with Mr. Zhang Wenchang, Director of the Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center, vividly recounting the artistic journey of Mr. Xu Beihong for the students. He started learning painting from his father at the age of eight, became an art teacher at three schools in Yixing by seventeen, was admitted to Aurora University at nineteen, and later pursued studies in France. Upon his return to China, he made multiple trips to Europe to hold exhibitions, establishing himself as a pioneer in introducing Chinese culture to the world. He long dedicated himself to art education, serving as the first president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and becoming a key founder of modern art education in China. His iconic work “Galloping Horse《奔马》” stands as an outstanding representative of his spirit of artistic innovation.
Director Zhang Wenchang also mentioned that some pieces from “Xu Beihong’s Brushstrokes: A Chinese Symphony,” such as “Xu Beihong’s Color-Ink Paintings《徐悲鸿彩墨画》,” had their world premiere at the Lincoln Center in the United States in 2022. The upcoming performance at the Shenzhen Concert Hall will mark its highly significant domestic debut.
The architectural planning of this music salon was led by Ms. Xu Fangfang, daughter of the master Xu Beihong and the first Director of the Music Department at Renmin University’s Xu Beihong School of Arts. She curated the participation of her protégé, Chen Chen, and her team, all alumni of the School, who provided a heartfelt and evocative musical discourse for the attendees.
1. 《花好月圆》Blossoms Under a Bright Moon · A Journey Begins with Hometown Melody
The event opened with “Blossoms Under a Bright Moon《花好月圆》,” a classic from Xu Beihong’s hometown. Speaker Chen Chen then took the stage, weaving a narrative that connected Xu Beihong’s life to the music. He shared personal stories from his time at the Xu Beihong School of Arts: the dedicated mentorship of Ms. Xu Fangfang, the camaraderie of the early years, and an unforgettable student trip to Hong Kong on a slow train—a journey that expanded their artistic vision and remains a treasured memory.
2. “Mayila《玛依拉》” & “Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon《彩云追月》” · The Flow of Folk Melody
Two classic folk pieces were performed in succession, their melodies graceful and their artistic conception profound. Following the performance, Chen Chen engaged in a warm interaction with the students, discussing the imagery and emotional expression within the music.
3. “La Marseillaise《马赛曲》” · A Tribute to the French Years
This renowned French composition pays homage to Mr. Xu Beihong’s significant eight-year period of study in France. Chen Chen used this piece as a starting point to narrate the master’s educational journey in the West and the formation of his broad artistic vision.
4. “Alamuhan《阿拉木汗》” & “Dance of the Yao People《瑶族舞曲》” · A Medley of Folk Customs
The performance continued with a succession of pieces brimming with distinct regional character, their rhythms vibrant and colors rich. Following the melodies, the event once again transitioned into a relaxed and engaging interactive session.
5. “Thunder in Dry Weather《旱天雷》” and “Kittens at Play《猫戏图》”
As the lively notes of “Thunder in Dry Weather” filled the air, Xu Beihong’s painting “Kittens at Play” was simultaneously projected onto the screen. Following the performance, Director Zhang Wenchang took the stage, offering a detailed interpretation of the painting’s charming essence and the spirit of its brushwork.
6. “Horse Racing《赛马》” and “Galloping Horses《群奔马》” · The Power of the Gallop
The passionate melody of “Horse Racing《赛马》,” set against the backdrop of Xu Beihong’s representative work “Galloping Horses《群奔马》,” drove the atmosphere to its climax. Director Zhang Wenchang explained the innovative significance of Xu’s “Galloping Horse” series. Subsequently, Chen Chen and Director Zhang engaged the students in a lively interaction centered on the theme of “horses,” where everyone eagerly volunteered idioms related to the animal, creating a fervent atmosphere. Director Zhang concluded with an inspirational message drawn from the spirit of Xu Beihong’s galloping horses, hoping that when students encounter difficulties in their lives and studies, they can recall the tenacity and power of the steeds—their soaring spirit and relentless forward charge—to motivate themselves to strive hard and pursue progress in the face of adversity. He finally wished the students resounding success in their academic endeavors, hoping they would “win victory immediately upon arrival and achieve swift success.”
Two pieces with vibrant rhythms and an exuberant atmosphere further ignited the passion in the room.
As the event drew to a close, the familiar melody of “Me and My Motherland《我和我的祖国》” prompted a spontaneous chorus from all teachers and students, their heartfelt and resonant voices filling the auditorium.
Concluding Address by Vice Principal Qin Jianxin
In his concluding address, Vice Principal Qin Jianxin first expressed his sincere gratitude to the artists for their dedicated performance and extended special thanks to the Xu Beihong Culture and Art Center for bringing such high-quality artistic resources to the school. He remarked earnestly that inviting a team of this caliber was a significant endeavor, made possible only by the strong support from all parties and the artists’ profound commitment to education. He encouraged the students to cherish this rare opportunity, to immerse themselves in the charm of the symphony and the artistic spirit of Xu Beihong, and to let this transcendent “dialogue between sound and canvas” become a memorable milestone in their aesthetic education.
A Finale of Emotion and Applause
The music salon concluded amidst profound emotion and warm applause. As students reluctantly left the auditorium, they expressed how this interdisciplinary aesthetic lesson, which blended painting and music, had not only been a source of relaxation but had also nourished them artistically and inspired them spiritually. May this beautiful experience stay with them, fueling their journey ahead with renewed vigor to face future challenges.
