The Poetry and Passion of Romanticism
Li-Wei Qin × Macao Orchestra
Macao Cultural Centre · January 14, 2023 · 20:00
Overview
In this poetic evening of Romantic splendor, internationally acclaimed cellist Li-Wei Qin joins the Macao Orchestra under the baton of Julian Yu (Zhu Qiyuan) to explore the lyrical depth and emotional fervor of the Romantic era.
The program features Schumann’s Overture to Manfred, Op.115, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33, and Schumann’s Symphony No.1 in B-flat Major “Spring,” Op.38 — works that epitomize the Romantic spirit of idealism, passion, and poetic beauty.
“Schumann is the poet among composers, and Tchaikovsky the painter of the human soul. Their music is not merely heard — it is felt.”
Li-Wei Qin
Program
Robert Schumann — Overture to Manfred, Op.115
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33
Robert Schumann — Symphony No.1 in B-flat Major “Spring”, Op.38
Conductor: Julian Yu (Zhu Qiyuan)
Cello: Li-Wei Qin
Orchestra: Macao Orchestra
About the Work — Tchaikovsky’s “Rococo Variations”
Composed in 1876 and dedicated to cellist Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme is a radiant homage to 18th-century elegance and charm. The term Rococo refers to an artistic style that flourished in France during the early 18th century, characterized by ornate detail, refined grace, and decorative beauty — qualities mirrored in the music’s virtuosic passages and lyrical grace.
The work unfolds as a theme and eight variations, each revealing a different facet of the cello’s expressive and technical range — from delicate, graceful filigree to soaring, operatic lyricism.
Tchaikovsky himself regarded this as one of his finest compositions, and its premiere in Moscow in 1877 was met with enthusiastic acclaim.
About the Rococo Style
Rococo art and music embodied the elegance, intricacy, and playfulness of 18th-century Europe. In music, this was expressed through ornamented melodic lines, fluid phrasing, and light textures — qualities that distinguished it from the grandeur of the Baroque and the structural balance of the Classical style.
The Rococo aesthetic celebrates refinement over drama, intimacy over monumentality — a perfect reflection of the poised elegance that Tchaikovsky channels in this concerto-like work.
Artists
Li-Wei Qin — Cello
Praised by The New York Times for his “ravishingly beautiful tone, flawless intonation, and ironclad technique,” Qin is a laureate of the Tchaikovsky and Naumburg Competitions. He has performed with major orchestras across the world, including the London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, and Singapore Symphony, and records for Decca and Sony Classical.
Julian Yu (Zhu Qiyuan) — Conductor
A distinguished Chinese conductor with a refined musical intellect and expressive command, Zhu Qiyuan has led leading orchestras across Asia and is celebrated for his lyrical interpretations of Romantic repertoire.
Macao Orchestra
Founded in 1983, the Macao Orchestra is one of the leading professional ensembles in the region. With a versatile repertoire spanning classical and contemporary works, it has become a cultural ambassador of Macao, frequently collaborating with world-renowned soloists and conductors.