The audience were seated under the red glow of prosperity from the Chinese lanterns in the intimate choir stands under the magnificent Organ pipes at the back of the Concert Hall stage. Two opposing kidney-shaped grand pianos were nestled within one another for each pianist, representative of the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol, whilst the Southern Cross Soloists and guests were dressed in black and red to celebrate the onset of the Year of the Pig and the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Li-Wei Qin at rehearsals. Photo © Stephen Henry Photography

Lunar New Year: Memories from Childhood is the first of the three-concert program for 2019 by the Southern Cross Soloists. Curated by Artistic Director Tania Frazer, who brought all the artists together, it was an eclectic fusion, featuring animal-inspired Western music with selections from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Chinese folk songs, and the world premiere of Carnival of the Chinese Animals, a piece by Lyle Chan exploring the Chinese Zodiac. Special guest soloists included Li-Wei Qin on the cello, pianist Kristian Chong and the vibrant international erhu master (playing the two-stringed bowed traditional Chinese instrument) George Gao on his inaugural...