When Beijing Opera meets a German Conductor and his Symphony Orchestra——Behind the scenes of the Concert for the 45thAnniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relationship between China and Germany

10月下旬，德國北京大學(xué)校友會會長于芳在微信朋友圈發(fā)了這么一條“圖文”——

東西方文化的碰撞？具體點(diǎn)，就是京劇用交響樂伴奏而指揮是德國人，就是于魁智老師唱《大雪飄》而指揮是德國人奧特斯巴赫（這是我知道的有史以來第一次由外國指揮來指揮京劇伴奏啊）。再具體點(diǎn)！就是于魁智第一句“大雪飄，撲人面，朔風(fēng)陣陣透骨寒”沒唱完，“Nein，nein!”德國指揮奧特斯巴赫大叫著把指揮棒擲在了譜臺上……“這不行！”跟著就是一通關(guān)于什么是“交響”的表述；就是整個(gè)排練場靜止；就是我閉嘴不譯，一臉尷尬苦笑；就是于魁智老師保持著雍容大度，鎮(zhèn)定微笑著解譜、找切點(diǎn)；就是奧特斯巴赫聰明而又嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)?shù)厝プ兺?、配合…?/p>

東西方文化的融合？就是合練一天后的默契；就是于魁智唱完另一句散板“忍孤憤山神廟暫避風(fēng)寒”之后，交響樂恰到好處地切入，令人汗毛乍起地烘托；就是于魁智對奧特斯巴赫豎起大拇指；就是這一唱段在法蘭克福老歌劇院演出時(shí)全場爆發(fā)出的掌聲……淚涌！

當(dāng)演出的輝煌回歸平靜，浮喧歸零，精華自顯。那些東西方文化碰撞產(chǎn)生的震撼會慢慢沉淀于歷史……

讀罷文字，我能感受到于芳緊張、激動和興奮交織在一起的情緒。但是當(dāng)時(shí)現(xiàn)場究竟發(fā)生了什么事，我還是有點(diǎn)一頭霧水。之后，我忽然接到她的電話，問我看沒看她的朋友圈。沒等我回答，她就興奮地說：“我的朋友圈都點(diǎn)贊滿屏了！”

幕后：“給我一個(gè)眼神，我就知道怎么接了”

今年是中德建交45周年，應(yīng)該借此契機(jī)組織一場紀(jì)念活動。在德華京劇苑秘書長、德國北大校友會前會長顧裕華的推動下，這個(gè)想法得到了中國文聯(lián)、中國駐德國大使館的大力支持，中國文聯(lián)組派了一個(gè)26人組成的中國藝術(shù)演出團(tuán)赴德演出，這場名為“慶祝中德建交45周年‘萊茵華韻’京劇交響音樂會”的演出中，涵蓋了京劇、琵琶、二胡、民樂演奏與民歌演唱等內(nèi)容。尤其讓人期待的是，還有中國國家京劇院著名京劇演員于魁智和李勝素加盟。

為了突出紀(jì)念中德建交的友好氣氛，于芳聯(lián)系了德國吉森大學(xué)交響樂團(tuán)參與演出。中方導(dǎo)演聽說后立即決定所有節(jié)目改由交響樂團(tuán)伴奏，并立即請名家編寫交響樂曲譜，提前交給了吉森大學(xué)交響樂團(tuán)。

中國文聯(lián)藝術(shù)團(tuán)于10月12日抵達(dá)德國，音樂會定于15日舉行——與交響樂團(tuán)的磨合排練只有短短的兩三天時(shí)間。合練的第一天下午，吉森大學(xué)交響樂團(tuán)早早在學(xué)校等候。趁中方人員沒到，樂團(tuán)指揮奧特斯巴赫迫不及待地要演奏一下他們已經(jīng)排練了兩個(gè)多月的開場曲目——交響樂《太陽出來喜洋洋》。

音樂響起，于芳愣了一下，有點(diǎn)懷疑自己的耳朵——這是那首輕快喜悅的中國民樂嗎？怎么有點(diǎn)貝多芬交響曲的味道？她想對奧特斯巴赫說，能不能演奏得再輕快一些。話到嘴邊又咽了回去——每位指揮對樂曲的理解不同，德國指揮心目中的《太陽出來喜洋洋》可能就是這樣一種德味的厚重的喜悅，這不正是一次中德文化嘗試交融的實(shí)踐嗎？

顯然奧特斯巴赫對自己的演繹很滿意：“怎么樣？再來一遍吧！”興奮之情溢于言表，于是又指揮樂團(tuán)演奏了一遍。

合練開始，首先是于魁智的京劇演唱。德國大編制的交響樂團(tuán)需要與中國京胡、月琴、鼓板、云鑼的京劇小樂隊(duì)配合，整個(gè)樂團(tuán)又要與于魁智的唱腔配合……于芳在微信朋友圈中寫的那一段就發(fā)生在這個(gè)節(jié)骨眼上。

于魁智的京劇唱段選的是《野豬林》里林沖的一段，開頭是一句散板：“大雪飄，撲人面，朔風(fēng)陣陣透骨寒……”于魁智正唱得自如瀟灑，奧特斯巴赫突然臉憋得通紅，一下子把指揮棒扔在了譜架上，沖著于芳高聲大嚷：“不，不對！他沒按拍子唱！知道什么是交響樂嗎？！”……現(xiàn)場氣氛頓時(shí)緊張起來。于芳沒有直譯奧特斯巴赫的話，擠出笑容沖他歪了下頭，回身和于魁智交流，問什么地方出了問題。于魁智說，京劇里散板的拍子應(yīng)該是自由的，在國內(nèi)演出，樂隊(duì)都是隨著演員，知道怎么來配合。但是，德國的交響樂團(tuán)久已習(xí)慣按譜子演奏，一下子就蒙圈了。

當(dāng)時(shí)全場安靜，于芳的心臟幾乎停跳到嗓子眼兒。盡管事先預(yù)計(jì)到合練可能會發(fā)生一些不適應(yīng)，但真正發(fā)生激烈反應(yīng)時(shí)，大家心里還是著實(shí)緊張起來。

有人出來安慰說，交響樂團(tuán)實(shí)在伴奏不了可以改成清唱。這怎么行呢，這么多人這么長時(shí)間的準(zhǔn)備，放棄了多可惜！于芳了解到雙方的差異點(diǎn)之后，耐心地對奧特斯巴赫講解了中國京劇的演唱特點(diǎn)，積極溝通雙方一起來解決這個(gè)從沒有遇到過的問題。奧特斯巴赫很聰明，馬上理解了，并和于魁智一起想辦法——比如第一句唱詞由中國的京劇小樂隊(duì)伴奏，等散板唱完進(jìn)入行板唱段時(shí)，胡琴給指揮一個(gè)提示，交響樂團(tuán)在合適的地方切進(jìn)來。后面再碰到這種情況，也照此處理，層次遞進(jìn)地烘托情緒、營造氛圍。

奧特斯巴赫聰明變通，激情投入。于魁智揮手打著拍子配合。后來在幾個(gè)關(guān)節(jié)點(diǎn)上，奧特斯巴赫都帶著樂團(tuán)越來越精準(zhǔn)地切進(jìn)來。于魁智伸出了大拇指。奧特斯巴赫露出了得意的笑容。

是于魁智處變不驚的微笑，是于芳對德國人的了解與積極協(xié)調(diào)，是奧特斯巴赫觸類旁通的機(jī)變，化解了場面上的尷尬。有了這次東西方藝術(shù)上的碰撞與磨合，后面的事情就好辦多了。合練越來越好，待到李勝素加入合練，樂團(tuán)的配合就更順暢了。

“東西方文化上存在差異，正需要我們?nèi)ソ涣魅谕?，以期達(dá)到相互了解和認(rèn)同。我是為合作而來，為宣傳京劇藝術(shù)而來，也是為學(xué)習(xí)而來。永遠(yuǎn)保持微笑是我一貫的準(zhǔn)則?！庇诳鞘潞笳f，“我從奧特斯巴赫身上也學(xué)到很多。他有精益求精的職業(yè)態(tài)度，指揮時(shí)激情澎湃，能把情緒傳遞到樂團(tuán)的每一位樂手。我越來越喜歡他啦?！眾W特斯巴赫也說：“和于魁智先生一起演出我很高興。他是一個(gè)偉大的演員。京劇是一個(gè)很棒的劇種，很有魅力，只是剛接觸時(shí)陌生，不習(xí)慣，后來就越來越覺得自然了?！?/p>

給人留下深刻印象的還有中國民樂的合練和演出。琵琶名家吳玉霞演奏的《云想花想》本來是一支獨(dú)奏曲，為此次演出專門編寫了和交響樂團(tuán)的協(xié)奏樂譜。德國樂團(tuán)的很多人不知道什么是琵琶，于芳就下載圖片給他們看，播放曲子給他們聽。這是一支悲愴的愛情曲，中間有一段非常悲憤激烈的即興撥弦宣泄。但是，撥弦宣泄要多長，樂團(tuán)何時(shí)切入，也成了一個(gè)小問題。奧特斯巴赫問，要撥弦?guī)紫拢繀怯裣家汇?，說從來沒數(shù)過。于是，于芳幫著數(shù)，一共八下。合了幾次后，奧特斯巴赫對吳玉霞說：“行了，你不用拘泥次數(shù)了。你撥弦夠了，給我一個(gè)眼神，我就知道怎么接了?！?/p>

第二天排練時(shí)，吳玉霞和二胡名家鄧建棟又與奧特斯巴赫就樂曲風(fēng)格、節(jié)奏強(qiáng)弱等進(jìn)行了深入交流，專門探討樂曲情感的表達(dá)與處理，達(dá)成了高度默契。奧特斯巴赫說：“你們放心，中國音樂的表達(dá)方式我很理解了，回家把幾個(gè)地方再仔細(xì)琢磨一下，演出一定會很成功?！?/p>

臺前：中國民族音樂在異國他鄉(xiāng)展現(xiàn)獨(dú)特魅力

10月15日，慶祝中德建交45周年“萊茵華韻”中國京劇交響音樂會在歐洲五大歌劇院之一、歷史悠久的法蘭克福老歌劇院隆重上演。眾多華人和德國友人購票觀看，全場2000人座無虛席。演出以交響樂《太陽出來喜洋洋》開場，氣勢震撼。京劇、琵琶、二胡、中國民歌等節(jié)目精彩紛呈。德國華人聯(lián)合合唱團(tuán)和德國吉森合唱團(tuán)一起上演了160人大合唱，大氣磅礴；他們演唱的德國歌曲布蘭詩歌《哦！命運(yùn)》和中文歌曲《茉莉花》《在希望的田野上》《難忘今宵》把熱烈的氣氛推向高潮。于魁智和李勝素的演唱無疑是音樂會的重頭戲——在于魁智唱完第一句散板時(shí)，交響樂團(tuán)恰到好處地切入，烘托出的氣氛十分感人。一段終了，全場爆發(fā)出熱烈掌聲……整場演出非常成功。

“相知無遠(yuǎn)近，萬里尚為鄰。這次演出創(chuàng)造了兩個(gè)史無前例：一是由德國人指揮交響樂團(tuán)為中國的京劇和器樂伴奏，實(shí)現(xiàn)了中西文化藝術(shù)的交流與交融，促進(jìn)了中國京劇和民樂走進(jìn)德國主流社會?！庇诜颊f，“我沒想到歐洲人這么喜歡琵琶和二胡，指揮奧特斯巴赫對中國音樂的表達(dá)也非常到位，現(xiàn)場氣氛極為熱烈，中國的民族音樂在異國他鄉(xiāng)展現(xiàn)出了獨(dú)特的魅力?！?/p>

In late October, YU Fang, president of Peking University Alumni Association in Germany, sent such a "graphic"---

Collision of Eastern and Western Cultures? In speci fic, a symphony orchestra accompanied the Beijing Opera, and the conductor was a German, Master YU Kuizhi sung the Snow Drift, a Beijing Opera repertoire, but the conductor was a German man, Stefan Ottersbach(This is the first time ever that I knew that a foreign conductor commanded Peking Opera accompaniment). In more specific, the Germany conductor shouted, throwing the baton on the music stand,"Nein, nein!” as YU Kuizhi even didn’t finish the first lining "Snow drifts, bashing into people’s faces with penetrating cold wind"…"This is not going to work!" followed by a statement concerning the meaning of "Symphony". The whole rehearsal field remained silent,I stopped interpretation with an awkward smile, Master YU Kuizhi held a generous grace, smiling calmly trying to find a cut-point,and Stefan Ottersbach tried to be more flexible and cooperative in a smart and rigorous manner.

Integration of Eastern and Western Cultures? The tacit understanding after a day-long co-cultivation, the very right cut of symphony as soon as Master YU Kuizhi finished another freerhythm "Endless solitary anger, keeping warm in a temple", creating a sweaty contrast. YU Kuizhi thumbed up to Stefan Ottersbach,it was the bursting applauses out of such aria in the old theatre in Frankfurt… so moved! The essence shows its self-significance as the glory of performance returns to calmness. The shock caused by the cultural collision between East and West will gradually precipitate in history ...

I could feel the mood of YU Fang intertwined between tension and excitement from YU Fang after reading the text. But I still remained a little confused about what happened at the scene.After that, I suddenly received her phone call, asking me if I have seen her circle of friends. Without waiting for my answer, she exclaimed: "My friends' circle is full of LIKE!"

Behind the Scene: Just Give Me a Glance, l know How to Pick Up

王二妮演唱陜北民歌《山丹丹花開紅艷艷》Red Flowers Blossom, a folk song of Northern Shaanxi by WANG Erni

This year marks the 45thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany. We should take this opportunity to organize a commemorative event.Under the promotion by GU Yuhua, Secretary-general of Peking Opera Club in Deutschland and former president of Peking University Alumni Association in Germany, this idea was strongly supported by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Chinese Embassy in Germany. CFLAC dispatched a 26-member Chinese performing arts troupe to Germany, the performance, however, with the name of Celebrating the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Ties between China and Germany 'Rhythm of China by Rhine' Peking Opera Symphony Concert , covered Peking Opera, Pipa, Erhu, folk music performances and songs and other content. In particular, what people expected was the joining of YU Kuizhi and LI Shengsu,renowned Chinese Peking Opera performers from National Peking Opera Company.

With the purpose of highlighting the friendly atmosphere of establishing diplomatic relationship between China and Germany,YU Fang contacted the German Giessen University symphony orchestra to participate in the performance. Immediately after the Chinese director heard the announcement, he decided that all the programs should be accompanied by the symphony orchestra and immediately asked the famous masters to write the symphony score and hand it over to the symphony orchestra of the University of Giessen in advance.

CFLAC troupe only had three-day long rehearsal as they arrived in Germany on 12, October, and the concert would be held three days later, the total length for rehearsal. On the first day of cocultivation, the symphony orchestra of the University of Giessen waited in school early. Taking the advantage of the absence of Chinese staff, Stefan Ottersbach, the orchestra conductor, could not wait to play the opening repertoire, in which they had been rehearsing for more than two months - the symphonyHappiness After Sunrise.

YU Fang was stunned for a moment as the music started, a little skeptical of his own ears--- is this still that light and happy Chinese folk music? How i t was possible as there was a taste of Beethoven symphony? She wanted to ask Stefan Ottersbach if he could play the music in a lighter manner. But she stopped---each conductor has a different understanding of music, theHappiness After Sunrisecould be bearing an intense happiness of Germany, isn’t this a fusion of practice of China-Germany cultures.

Being most obvious, Stefan Ottersbach was very satisfied with his interpretation: "How about it? Come on again!" Excitement overflowed with words, he directed the orchestra to play again.The Peking Opera performed by YU Kuizhi started first. The large German symphony orchestra needed to cooperate with the small band of Peking Opera, composed by the instrument of Jinghu, Yueqin,Guban and Yunluo, the whole orchestra should be coordinated with the singing of YU Kuizhi…… that story in the Wechat circle of friends posted by YU Fang happened at that special moment.

德國著名指揮家奧斯特巴赫Renowned German Conductor Stefan Ottersbach

"Snow drifts, bashing into people’s faces with penetrating cold wind", a free-rhythm at the beginning in the section depicting LIN Chong in theWild Boar Forest, an aria of Peking Opera sang by YU Kuizhi. As he was singing freely with much confidence,Stefan Ottersbach’s face got flushed out of a sudden, throwing the baton on the music stand, "No, no! He does not sing by tempo, do you know what a symphony is?!” …… the atmosphere suddenly became so intense. YU Fang did not interpret Stefan Ottersbach’s words literally, squeezing a smile to him, turning around and starting to talk with YU Kuizhi to find if there was anything wrong. YU Kuizhi said that the tempo in Peking Opera should be free, and all bands were following the performers in domestic performances in China, knowing how to cooperate.However, the German symphony orchestra was totally shocked as they has long been accustomed to play by score.

The whole rehearsal field remained silent, and YU Fang’s heart almost stopped. Although it was expected that the co-rehearsal might not meet some of the requirements in the first place, it was still really intense when people reacted sharply……

Some said that there could be an unaccompanied singing if the symphony orchestra was unable to play. How is this possible,so many people have been preparing for such a long time, it is indeed a pity to give up! Having acknowledged the difference between the two parties, YU Fang patiently explained to Stefan Ottersbach about singing characteristics of Beijing Opera and actively communicated with both parties to solve the problems never encountered before. Stefan Ottersbach is very wise and understood immediately, starting to find solutions with YU Kuizhi--- for example, the first sentence by the Chinese Peking Opera band, the Huqin would give the conductor a hint and the symphony orchestra jumped in properly as the andante initiated after the free-rhythm was finished. It was dealt likewise in the following situation, heightening the emotion and creating the atmosphere in a progressing manner.

Stefan Ottersbach is wise man with much passion, and YU Kuizhi waved with the beat. And the conductor led the band to cut in more and more precisely in the follow-up key points. YU Kuizhi stretched out his thumb, and a proud smile was found on Stefan Ottersbach’s face.

It is YU Kuizhi’s calm smile, YU Fang's understanding and active coordination with the German people and Stefan Ottersbach’s wisdom by analogy that resolved the embarrassment at the scene. The following situation was much smooth with the collision of Eastern and Western art, witnessing better co-cultivation and cooperation with bands was much smoother with the joining of LI Shengsu later.

There are differences between Eastern and Western cultures,requiring our exchanging and cooperation so as to achieve mutual understanding and recognition. I come for cooperation,promote art of Peking Opera and learning as well. Keep smiling forever is my usual guideline. YU Kuizhi said after the event,I learned a lot from Stefan Ottersbach. He has a professional attitude of excellence, very passionate in commanding and he can pass the emotions to each of the orchestra musicians. I like him more and more. Stefan Ottersbach said that he is very delighted to perform with YU Kuizhi. He is a greater performer.Peking Opera is a great drama, very attractive, I was not used to it at the very beginning, but feeling much natural later.

The co-cultivation and performance of Chinese folk music also impressed all the audiences.Thinking by Wind & Flowers,performed by famous Pipa player WU Yuxia, originally a solo,was composed as a concerto for symphony orchestra especially prepared for this performance. Many people in the German orchestra did not know what is the Pipa, YU Fang downloaded and showed them the pictures and played songs for them. This is a sorrowful love song, with a very sad and intense improvisation of pluck for catharsis in the middle of it. However, how the pluck lasted and when the bands cut in also became a minor problem.Stefan Ottersbach’s asking about the times of pluck surprised WU Yuxia for a moment as she never counted. Hence, there was eight times under YU Fang’s help. Stefan Ottersbach told WU Yuxia, after few co-cultivation, it is ok, you don’t have to stick to the times. You just pluck and I know how to pick up when you give a glance.

During the rehearsal on the next day, WU Yuxia and Erhu master DENG Jiandong have exchanged ideas thoroughly with Stefan Ottersbach concerning music style, rhythms and others, specifically exploring the emotional expression and handling of music, reaching a high degree of understanding.Stefan Ottersbach said: just believe me, I totally understand the expression of Chinese music, I will think about few points after going home, and I’m sure the show will be a great success.

于魁智、李勝素合唱京歌《蝶戀》Love of Butterflies, Beijing Opera Chorus by YU Kuizhi and LI Shengsu

On the Stage: Chinese Folk Music Showcases Unique Charm in a Foreign Land

On 15, October, the celebration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, 'Rhythm of China by Rhine', a Chinese Peking Opera Symphony concert, was held in the old theatre in Frankfurt with a long history, one of the grand theatres in Europe.Some 2,000 Chinese and German people have attended the event. The performance began with the imposing symphonyHappiness After Sunrise. The Peking Opera, Pipa, Erhu, Chinese folk songs and other programs presented much brilliance to the audiences. The magnificent 160-people chorus staged by the German-Chinese joint choir and German Giessen impressed all deeply, with their performance of German Carmina BuranaO FortunaandChina’s Jasmine,Land of HopeandUnforgettable Nightpushed the warm atmosphere to the climax. The performance of YU Kuizhi and LI Shengsu undoubtedly highlighted the concert, as the perfect cut-in of the symphony orchestra as YU finished the first free-rhythm, demonstrating a very touching atmosphere. A warm applause broke out from the audiences after the end of a session…… the whole performance is most successful.Distance cannot separate true friends. The performance has created two unprecedented events: firstly, a German conductor’s commanding a symphony orchestra to accompany China’s Peking Opera and instrument,realizing the exchanges and integration between Chinese and Western culture and art while promoting the Chinese Peking Opera and folk music into the mainstream society in Germany.YU Fang said, it is totally out of my expectation that the Europeans like the pipa and erhu so much. Stefan Ottersbach,the conductor, properly expressed the Chinese music. With the unprecedentedly warmth, China's national music has shown its unique charm in a foreign country.

嚴(yán)慶谷表演《美猴王》Monkey King performed by YAN Qinggu