Commemorating history through harmony: Yellow River–Butterfly Lovers Concerto

Neil Gregori Garen
3 days ago
3 min read

How does music carry the weight of memory across generations? How can a melody both recall the shadows of the past and illuminate the path toward peace?

This commemorative concert is more than a gathering of timeless symphonic works; it is a musical journey that honors memory, resilience, and hope. Featuring the Manila Symphony Orchestra, guest performers from Chongqing, China, and the Young Voices of the Philippines, the program unites cultures and generations in a shared act of remembrance. As the President of the Manila Symphony Orchestra notes, “Beyond their artistic excellence, these masterpieces embody a collective memory of struggle and triumph, while serving as symbol of cultural dialogue and the power of music to transcend national boundaries.”

September 3 marks a historic moment: in 1945 the Japanese army formally surrendered to the Chinese government, and on the very same day at Camp John Hay in Baguio, the commander of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines capitulated to American and Filipino forces. Reflecting on this occasion, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian emphasized, “Through the power of music, we pay tribute to the heroes of our nations and reaffirm our commitment to remembering history and promoting peace.” This spirit of remembrance and harmony flows through each piece performed in the concert.

1. Ode to the Red Flag

Lu Qiming’s Ode to the Red Flag bursts with grandeur, its sweeping orchestral lines capturing both solemn remembrance and jubilant pride. With its majestic brass and soaring strings, the piece transforms collective memory into a vivid musical celebration, a reminder that from hardship, unity and strength can emerge in resounding harmony.

2. The butterfly lovers & jasmine flower

The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang is both tender and heroic, weaving themes of love, sacrifice, and transcendence. Alongside it, the delicate strains of Jasmine Flower evoke the elegance of folk tradition, carrying with them a sense of timeless beauty. Together, they form a lyrical dialogue between sorrow and serenity, a poetic expression of the human spirit’s capacity to endure and to dream.

3. The yellow river piano concerto & setting sail

The yellow river piano concerto, adapted from Xian Xinghai’s cantata, surges with passion and vigor, echoing the might of a river that has witnessed centuries of struggle and renewal. By contrast, He Jianguo’s Setting Sail takes listeners on a gentler voyage, its folk-inspired melodies offering images of movement, hope, and new beginnings. Together, these works remind us that even in turbulent waters, there is always a horizon to reach.

4. Dekada ’70: rhapsody-suite for orchestra

Alejandro D. Consolacion II’s Dekada ’70: Rhapsody-Suite for Orchestra is a contemporary Filipino masterpiece, brimming with energy and conviction. Drawing inspiration from the country’s modern history, it weaves together familiar tunes such as Heber Bartolome’s “Tayo’y mga Pinoy,” Freddie Aguilar’s “Handog,” and the Cordillera folk song “Salidumay.” These musical threads, set against symphonic textures, create a soundscape both dynamic and reflective. As the closing work of the program, it leaves audiences with a resonant sense of continuity, a people still writing their story through music, art, and vision.

5. Atin cu pung singsing & ang buwan sa kabundukan

The Philippine soul resonates in this pairing of folk and symphonic poetry. Atin Cu Pung Singsing, a Kapampangan folk song arranged by Ryan Cayabyab, enchants with its nostalgic simplicity, while Lucio San Pedro’s Ang Buwan sa Kabundukan paints a quiet yet profound portrait of nature’s beauty. Heard together, they speak of memory, loss, and the gentle power of music to soothe wounds and guide communities forward with grace.