The performance by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Photo: Courtesy of Xiao Qian

The cover of the album The Song of The Earth Photo: Courtesy of Xiao Qian

Two versions of Chinese poetic symphonic song-cycle The Song of the Earth, was released in an album collection in July, made their stunning performance debut in Shanghai on Saturday, winning applause from audiences and worldwide media.

On Saturday, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Music Season 2021-22 kicked off with high-profile Chinese conductor Yu Long teaming with soprano Guo Sen, baritone Yuan Chenye, tenor Xiahou Jinxu and mezzo-soprano Zhu Huiling to perform two different renditions of The Song of the Earth - the original classic written by Austro-Bohemian Romantic composer Gustav Mahler and a new version by Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang. 

Yu recently released both versions of the song on a new album. Originally written by Mahler in Germany in 1908-09, The Song of the Earth was inspired by ancient Tang Dynasty (618-907) poetry. 

Yet Yu believed that the German version of the piece only reflected Western perspectives toward Eastern art and that it would present a very different side if written in Chinese. 

"Western languages are mainly narrative compared to Chinese, which is more imaginative in terms of description."

Yu decided to work with Ye to recompose the The Song of the Earth with Chinese lyrics. In 2005, Ye rearranged the order of the texts in Chinese and recomposed the song-cycle with a more optimistic take. 

Yu took both Ye and Mahler's works and recorded them for a new album with him as conductor.  

"With the two works are compared on one album, one can better feel the differences between Eastern and Western philosophy, aesthetics and literature. It will give you a deeper understanding of the songs."

The new album made headlines worldwide from the Guardian to the BBC, which said the song "returns to its golden-age."

Yu described performing the same piece in two different ways that contrast the East and West as "a dialogue between different cultures." 

"In the current situation, where the pandemic continues to spread around the world, this kind of dialogue is particularly important. It helps people understand each other's differences, understand each other, and improves communication."

"The world today needs a better understanding of China and Chinese culture. This album can also allow Westerners to feel and appreciate the excitement and profoundness of Chinese culture. As you know, our generation bears the responsibility to maintain the root of Chinese culture and pass it on to the world," Yu told the Global Times.