Conducting an artistic dialogue

Tan will also collaborate with Chinese rock band, Hanggai, which is made up of musicians from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and the Changsha Symphony Orchestra from Hunan, using compositions by Bach as the medium for a dialogue, supported by dynamic digital animation and multimedia technology. Mongolian ethnic songs, such as The Rising Sun and Grassland My Beautiful Home will offer audiences a sonic image of the grasslands, mountains and rivers. Pop singer Tan Weiwei will also join the performance.

The Tan Dun WE-Festival has commissioned pieces from two rising composers, Kam Shing-hei from Hong Kong and Liu Junhao from Shanghai. Kam, drawing inspiration from Shanghai, and Liu, basing his work on Hong Kong, will debut their compositions at the festival.

"I enjoy working with young people. The festival will also attract young people in Hong Kong, who will learn more about ancient Chinese culture through these theatrical productions," says Tan.