Symphonic concert becomes resident show in revolutionary site

The Long March Suite, a new version of the historic large-scale symphonic and choral concert, premiered in Xingguo county, Jiangxi province on March 31. It will be staged for 10 continuous shows and will become a resident show there.

Written by Xiao Hua (1916-85) in 1965, the suite features 10 poems by Xiao about the Long March — an epic strategic retreat by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China that took place from 1934 to 1936. Since its premiere in 1965, the suite has been a classic and remains popular among Chinese audiences of different ages.

Writer of The Long March Suite, Xiao, was born in Xingguo and became a member of the CPC as a teenager. According to Xiao Xia, Xiao Hua's daughter, her father wrote 12 poems while receiving medical treatment for a severe illness in hospital in 1965. Ten of them have been adapted into songs, composed by four veteran Chinese songwriters.

Some of the singers, who performed during the premiere in 1965, joined the concert on March 31.

Jiangxi province is known for its revolutionary bases and is a popular destination among tourists. Director Jia Ding says the concert will allow the tourists to gain a deeper understanding about the history of the CPC.