Art-loving New Yorkers gathered at Lincoln Center to witness the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s first show of the year. The performance ended with a standing ovation, with some audience members describing it as a healing experience.
This is the first time Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra returned to New York after four years, bringing two uplifting concerts to Lincoln Center on Sunday.
“It calms my soul and we need that. It’s beautiful,” said Alan Toth, an investment adviser representative at Sagepoint Financial Inc.
Russell Allen, founder and CEO of WellnessNow, said, “Very uplifting and nourishing to the spirit.”
“Orchestra is unbelievable,” said Igor Burko, a plastic surgeon at SY Aesthetics Middletown. “The composer, you could tell, is very talented.”
With the sound of a gong ringing through the hall, the orchestra kicked off the show with one of Shen Yun’s most acclaimed compositions: “Salvation During End Times.”
The program included original music written by Shen Yun Performing Arts‘ in-house composers as well as Western classical favorites like Dvorak’s “From the New World” and Sibelius’s “Finlandia.”
The orchestra also performed a well-known classical Chinese piece called “The Butterfly Lovers.”
Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra draws inspiration from 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, bringing stories and legends to life.
“The music emphasized Asian culture, and it has I felt like the history—so much history of our own lives and of other people’s lives were represented in the room,” said lawyer Ann Hoffman.
“I saw movies, it sounded like a movie soundtrack,” said Linus Fetter, a retired physicist. “I could just see things going on when I heard the music. It just lights me up. It’s so gorgeous.”
The New York-based orchestra combines both Western and Eastern instruments, blending ancient Chinese instruments and melodies into a classical symphony orchestra.
Audience members called the performance uplifting.
“It’s very good energy. It’s very positive. It makes you feel good when you’re listening to it,” said Jeffrey Yager, a plastic surgeon at SY Aesthetics Middletown. “In today’s times, it’s very nice to have such a positive experience.”
Mr. Allen added: “Understanding that beauty is part of our heart and early essence of every human being is very much a traditional value, and things that elevate the spirit like this music awaken us to our conscience and being better people.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts showcases classical Chinese dance along with original music, aiming to revive traditional Chinese culture before communism. The company brings brand new performances every year. A new season of Shen Yun begins in December.
