Interview by William Chan
The Macau Cello Ensemble will present “Macau Imagery” on July 30 at Hengqin’s “Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre”, and on August 1 at “Bay Opera of Shenzhen”. Having made its debut in 2023, July’s performance marks the first step for the group to perform in multiple cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) this year.
Composed by Fang Dongqing, “Macau Imagery” has been performed in over 10 cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. For artistic director Zhou You, bringing this piece back to the stage reflects the ongoing growth and maturity of Macau’s classical music scene.
Zhou, who graduated in cello studies from the Central Conservatory of Music in the 1980s, continued to serve as a faculty instructor at the nation’s prestigious conservatory until the early 1990s. Following the Joint Declaration on the Question of Macao signed between China and Portugal, he and several fellow lecturers were formally invited by the Macau government to help elevate the city’s musical landscape. Over his three decades in Macau, Zhou has nurtured dozens of cellists, many of whom have gone on to secure positions in professional institutions such as the Macau Orchestra. His contributions to the region’s cultural sector also include serving as the President of the Macao Conservatory.
According to Zhou, this performance focuses on the theme of cultural reflection, bridging the city’s rich history with modern string ensemble arrangements.
“The repertoire reflects a deep connection to the city’s identity,” Zhou noted. “I wanted to use the profound and vocal qualities of the cello to tell Macau’s unique historical stories.”
Among the production’s highlights is a diverse multi-movement structure specifically utilising the “Eight Views of Macau” (澳門八景) as its central thematic material. The movements capture landmarks defined in 1993 by local academic and artistic societies. The opening movement, Bay Bridge at Glowing Sunset, depicts the artistic lines of the Governor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge (commonly known as the Old Bridge), which stood as a singular architectural marvel connecting the peninsula and Taipa at the time. The concert will also feature movements like Ruins of St. Paul’s (三巴聖跡), which explores the historical depths of the Far East’s first Western-style university through solemn yet deeply comforting religious and cultural undertones.
Alongside the cellos, the performance features two double basses, specifically added to shoulder the functional low-end weight. Zhou underlined that this arrangement liberates the 12 principal cellos, allowing them to weave intricate multi-part melodies with complete technical freedom. He noted that the concert will also debut unique fusions, blending a steady piano foundation with the distinct textures of a Portuguese guitar, alongside traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu, dizi, and guzheng to create colourful stylistic shifts.
Overcoming Challenges & Looking Forward
Reflecting on the journey of local classical music, Zhou noted that elevating the city’s musical standards and establishing sustainable platforms has been both a core challenge and a primary goal.
“The greatest challenge in the early days was building professional foundations from scratch,” Zhou said. “When I first arrived in 1993, Macau lacked professional orchestras; local ensembles were amateur groups meeting after hours. Transitioning from that to a comprehensive professional training system – spanning from full-time secondary music courses to tertiary undergraduate and postgraduate degrees – demanded long-term dedication.”
Zhou expressed gratitude to the local cultural entities and national frameworks for providing consistent support, noting that “Macau Imagery” secured vital backing from the China National Arts Fund alongside matching support from the Macau Cultural Development Fund. Looking towards the future, Zhou hopes the orchestra will continue its promotional tours across the Chinese nation, ensuring that their original works are preserved and continuously shared rather than being shelved after initial accolades.
Tickets of the performance in Hengqin are priced from 124 to 286 patacas, with various discounts available. For more information, visit: www.macauticket.com/TicketWeb2023/en/programme/P-055961
For Shenzhen’s performance, visit:
www.szbo.com.cn/piao/4/23992.html?v=0701113802
The Macau Cello Ensemble performs “Macau Imagery” in 2024 to celebrate Macau’s return to the motherland.
Zhou You poses during the exclusive interview with the Post earlier this month at his home. – Photo: William Chan
Undated file photo of Zhou You performing on his cello – Photos provided by Zhou
