‘Dragon’ Concerto
for Pipa and Orchestra

Canadian composer Christian Thomas pays tribute to renowned pipa player Liu Fang

January 25, 2025

The Orchestre FILMharmonique announces the release of the album Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra ‘Dragon’, available on the Canadian label GFN Classiques. The concerto, composed by Quebecer Christian Thomas, is performed by international virtuoso Liu Fang, under the inspired direction of Francis Choinière.

Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra ‘Dragon’

As the Year of the Dragon approaches, an unprecedented musical event is set to enchant music lovers. This bold creation celebrates cultural fusion by paying vibrant tribute to the dragon, an iconic figure of power and benevolence in the Chinese imagination.

The concerto evokes the universal duality of good and evil and weaves a captivating musical score. It depicts the epic journey of a young dragon, from its clumsy beginnings to its transformation into a venerable dragon emperor, as it discovers its powers, learns to protect its world, and confronts the forces of darkness.

The resulting work is a captivating sonic voyage, in which ancient Eastern melodies harmoniously intertwine with Western compositions. This unique musical fusion transcends cultural boundaries, offering listeners an immersive and spellbinding experience.

More than just a concert, this performance embodies the fruitful encounter between two musical worlds, weaving a melodic bridge between East and West. It thus marks an innovative step in music history, paving the way for new sonic explorations where tradition and modernity gracefully combine.

Liu Fang, the empress of the pipa

Liu Fang, the undisputed virtuoso of the pipa, has established herself as an iconic figure of traditional Chinese music on the international stage. Nicknamed “the empress of the pipa,” she embodies much more than just a musician. Her art transcends cultural boundaries, making her a true ambassador of Chinese musical soul and spirituality.

Born in China’s Yunnan province, Liu Fang chose Montreal as her home base at the age of 22. Her exceptional talent has propelled her onto the world’s most prestigious stages. From the Theatre de la Ville in Paris to the Philharmonic Hall in Liege, and the Bath International Music Festival, she has captivated audiences with her mastery of the pipa and her ability to convey the profound essence of Chinese music.

Her career perfectly illustrates the bridge she has built between East and West, blending her Chinese roots with her Canadian experience to offer a unique and universal interpretation of her art. Liu Fang does more than just play music; she invites her audience on a spiritual and emotional journey through the enchanting sounds of the pipa.

Christian Thomas, composer, orchestrator and author

The collaboration between Christian Thomas and Liu Fang for the “Dragon” concerto has given birth to a work of exceptional richness, the result of an unprecedented artistic dialogue. By combining Liu Fang’s virtuoso talent on the pipa with a Western orchestra, Thomas embarked on a bold musical adventure, transcending cultural boundaries.

This project represented a fantastic challenge for the composer, prompting him to explore new sonic dimensions and push the limits of his orchestral creativity. The unique expressiveness of the pipa was a profound source of inspiration, allowing Thomas to bring to life a dragon imbued with nuance and depth.

In his vision, the dragon embodies much more than a simple mythical creature. It becomes the symbol of a protective force, combining power and benevolence. Thomas sees it as an expression of kindness and universal love, themes he has carefully woven into the musical fabric of the work.

This creation, born from a close collaboration between the composer and the performer, demonstrates a harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions. It offers listeners a unique sonic experience, where the virtuosity of the pipa blends with the richness of the orchestra to tell a story that is both intimate and universal.

A story in four movements

The “Dragon” Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra depicts a captivating musical journey, tracing the evolution of a dragon from its first steps to its ascension as a benevolent guardian. This four-movement work comes to life through Liu Fang’s exceptional virtuosity and sensitivity, whose pipa playing reveals the slightest nuances of this sonic epic.

The first movement, The Young Dragon’s Dance, plunges us into a world of wonder and discovery. The delicate and enchanting sounds of the pipa evoke a young dragon exploring a lush universe, populated by fascinating creatures. Still unaware of its power, it gently awakens to its destiny, guided by the enchanting melody.

In Time Has Passed, The Hour Has Come, the narrative marks a turning point in the dragon’s journey. The music becomes more introspective, reflecting the awakening of its consciousness and growing understanding of its role in the world. The pipa delicately translates this nascent connection with all living beings, while the score orchestrates the dragon’s fusion with the elements: its body becomes the earth, its breath the volcanoes, and its heart beats to the rhythm of infinity.

The intensity ramps up in The Protector, where the dragon faces adversity to defend its territory. Thomas’s composition reaches new heights of expressiveness here, with the pipa and orchestra uniting to depict the dragon’s power and determination against intruders.

The concerto culminates in The Dragon Emperor, a grandiose musical celebration of the dragon that has become wise and revered. This majestic finale embodies the apotheosis of the dialogue between Eastern and Western musical traditions, offering an epic conclusion to this initiatory journey.

Concert at Maison symphonique

The Maison symphonique is set to host this exceptional musical event on January 30, 2025. Under the expert direction of Francis Choinière, known for his mastery of orchestral nuances, the Dragon concerto for pipa and orchestra promises a unique sonic experience.

This memorable evening won’t stop there. In addition to this new creation, the audience will have the privilege of witnessing the performance of the famous Butterfly Lovers violin concerto. The talented Guillaume Villeneuve, accompanied by the FILMharmonique Orchestra, will lend his bow to this work.

This carefully crafted program offers a captivating musical journey between East and West. Butterfly Lovers, a true gem of the Chinese repertoire, combines sumptuous orchestration with an emotional melodic narrative. This harmonious fusion of musical traditions promises spectators an evening rich in emotions, celebrating the beauty of intercultural dialogue through the universal language of music.

Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra ‘Dragon’
Butterfly Lovers

January 30, 2025 – 7:30 pm
Maison symphonique in Montreal

About the FILMharmonique Orchestra

The FILMharmonique Orchestra, composed of world-class Canadian musicians, is Canada’s premier film music orchestra. Founded in 2015 by Denis Chabot, the Orchestra has presented sold-out film concerts each year at Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, including Harry Potter, Amadeus, Star Wars, The Godfather, Gladiator, Titanic, Fantasia, La Passion d’Augustine, Bugs Bunny, and The Lord of the Rings.

The FILMharmonique has also accompanied several internationally renowned artists, including Hans Zimmer, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, Patrick Watson, Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones), Ute Lemper, Patrick Bruel, and Stacey Kent. The FILMharmonique’s mission is to make classical music accessible to a wider audience.

The Orchestra is committed to promoting Canadian artists, cultural exchanges, music education, and accessibility to classical music. Since its inception, the orchestra has also recorded several albums under the GFN Classiques label.

About GFN Productions

GFN Productions is a Quebec-based music producer and promoter that organizes over 75 concerts each year across Canada. The company collaborates with a wide range of artists and specializes in producing large-scale symphonic and orchestral concerts.

As Canada’s leading promoter of film concerts in recent years, GFN Productions established a partnership with the FILMharmonique Orchestra since its founding in 2018. GFN manages the Montreal-based orchestra, which performs regularly throughout the country. GFN Productions has also produced four albums under the GFN Classics label, five recordings of concerts, and a short documentary film titled Passé recomposé.

In addition to concert production, GFN Productions offers a full range of services, including artist management, tour management, orchestral contracting, and music recording. This has solidified its reputation among Canada’s leading independent promoters.

The album Concerto for Pipa and Orchestra ‘Dragon‘ is available on streaming platforms under the independent Canadian label GFN Classics.

Image: Courtesy of GFN ProductionsOther recent articles