FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nanchang Symphony Orchestra and People-to-People Exchange Announce Historic Cultural Partnership to Perform “The Lushan Suite” in Tribute to US-China Friendship

Nanchang, China – November 12, 2024 – People-to-People Exchange (PPX) of San Francisco, in collaboration with the Ellen Roots family, is proud to announce a cultural exchange partnership with the Nanchang Symphony Orchestra (NCSO). On November 15, 2024, at 7 p.m., the NCSO will perform The Lushan Suite, composed in 1972  by Frances Roots Hadden, at the Nanchang Poly Grand Theater. This performance, honoring a century-long legacy of friendship between the United States and China, will take place during NCSO performance at  the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2024 China Tour and Residency joint concert.

The Lushan Suite, a heartfelt tribute to China’s Mount Lushan and the deep friendship shared between Americans and the people of China, was originally performed  by Frances Roots Hadden, a Caucasian descendant of Lushan, as a piano duet. Following the historical Ping Pong Diplomacy, Hadden’s East West Suite became the first musical tribute to US-China relations, premiering on October 3, 1972, in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People at the personal request of Premier Zhou Enlai. Hadden’s work resonated as a symbol of American goodwill and artistic connection between the two peoples and their cultures. 

This performance of The Lushan Suite marks a symbolic and nostalgic return to the inaugural pioneering days of musical diplomacy. More than fifty years after its original debut, the Nanchang Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with PPX and the Ellen Roots family, will revive Hadden’s work, restoring this unique historical anthem of diplomatic harmony for a new generation of people. 

Under the care of the Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee, on April 6, 2021, Jiangxi Wenyan Group and Nanchang Municipal Government officially established the Nanchang Symphony Orchestra in the way of "provincial and municipal co-construction", exploring a new path for the development of professional symphony orchestra supported by the government, enterprise operation and social participation. 

As the only professional symphony orchestra in Jiangxi Province, the Nanchang Symphony Orchestra adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply implements Xi Jinping's Cultural Thought, carries forward Ganpo culture, and promotes elegant art. With its unique symphonic music charm, it has become the new business card of Jiangxi culture and plays the main force of a strong cultural province.

As part of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2024 China Tour and Residency joint concert, the NCSO’s performance promises to be a powerful tribute to both the rich heritage of Chinese folk music, inspired by the Lushan stoneworkers’ chants, who built the 1000 steps leading up to Mt. Lushan, and embodies the universal language of cross-cultural friendship. 

“It is a profound honor to revisit my great grand aunt's work at this crucial time in US-China relations,” said Ellen Roots, also a cross-cultural Caucasian descendant of Lushan. “The Nanchang Symphony Orchestra has shown an inspiring dedication to bridging cultures, and this performance of The Lushan Suite reinforces the role of music as a bridge between peoples, a universal  language transcending political divides.”

This special performance aims to not only honor Frances Roots Hadden’s legacy, but also inspire future cultural exchanges between the peoples of the United States and China.

Tickets for this performance are available through the Nanchang Poly Grand Theater box office and online.

For more information, please contact:
People-to-People Exchange Public Relations
Email: [email protected]

About People-to-People Exchange (PPX)
People-to-People Exchange (PPX) is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and partnerships through arts, music, and education. With a mission to strengthen global connections, PPX supports initiatives that promote cultural exchanges to deepen understanding and friendships among the peoples of these nations - https://peopletopeopleexchange.org.

About the Nanchang Symphony Orchestra
The Nanchang Symphony Orchestra (NCSO) is renowned for its vibrant repertoire, combining Chinese musical traditions with globally influential compositions. Through international collaborations and cultural exchanges, NCSO aims to share the rich heritage of Chinese music with audiences worldwide.

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THE LUSHAN SUITE PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The Lushan Suite music demonstrates how the individual family-to-family friendship and people-to-people exchange of one American family and one Chinese family can change minds and make history. Today, this rich history can be leveraged to lift the Viral Curtain and reopen a friendly dialogue between the US and China, in 2024.

Brief History of The Lushan Suite

The Lushan Suite composition is a tribute to the determined Chinese people, and emulates and builds upon the heartfelt chants of the stone workers who sang them, while rigorously constructing the 1,000 Steps up the side of the mountain to Lushan.

The Lushan Suite music represents and stands as an emblem of peaceful unity between the people of the West and East. It was composed and originally performed by Frances Roots Hadden, in honor of Lushan Mountain, dedicated to the people of China, all over the world.

Frances Roots, born and raised in Lushan, China, was a celebrated pianist. She became an American musical ambassador, giving culturally unifying concerts throughout China including the Great Hall of the People in Peking.

The Lushan Suite had its world premiere on October 3, 1972. At that premiere, Frances spoke in Chinese and dedicated the music “to the Chinese people all over the world” (New York Times article). The concert was a huge success and met with thunderous applause, and was followed by extensive international news coverage. She was the first American musician to play in Beijing since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

In 2020, the story began in Lushan with a Chinese school teacher and the Kuling American School President becoming curious about the Roots family and this musical concert. They were so moved by the friendship of Frannie and Zhou, that they reached out to Ellen Roots, the descendant of Logan Roots and encouraged her to write a book about the history of the family.

In 2024, Ellen Roots published her book, "The Lushan Suite: A Love Song from the West to the East".

This year marks the 52nd Anniversary of The Lushan Suite’s debut in October 1972, following President Nixon’s visit and the Ping Pong Diplomacy of 1971. This is one example of a successful American and Chinese people-to-people exchange. This musical collaboration was instrumental in the reopening of dialogue between the U.S. and China. It shares the story and music of the Roots-Zhou families’ friendship and unshakeable bonds that are still alive today.

For a deeper background, please look at the Lushan Suite History Background.

The Program Goal

Through these concerts, exhibits and festivals, PPX shall create contexts for meaningful exchange between the people of the US and China, thus promoting mutual respect and collective belonging.