SYNTHESIS OF EASTERN AND WESTERN CULTURAL TRADITIONS IN THE MUSICAL ACTIVITY OF SIQIAN LI

Abstract

The article analyzes the performance of the laureate of numerous international competitions, in particular the Volodymyr Krainev International Competition of Young Pianists (Kharkiv, 2006), Siqian Li, one of the many bright representatives of the young generation of talented Chinese musicians. Organically combining national and Western performance traditions in her concert practice, vividly interpreting solo piano and chamber instrumental works of many European, American and modern Chinese composers, the lightning-fast musician demonstrates a deep understanding of the variety of styles of music she presents to listeners. Having a perfect technical piano apparatus, the pianist has a rare gift to establish a direct emotional contact with the listeners, which ensures a deeper understanding of musical works by them. A wide list of composers whose work is promoted by Siqian Li is given, her performance priorities are established, and the experience she gained during her studies in China (with Bao Huiqiao), the USA (with Alexander Korsantia) and in Great Britain (with Norma Fisher). The impact on her as a person and bright individuality of the creative and human instruction of these professors is analyzed. The experience of musical educational and scientific activity of Siqian Li is also considered, in particular, a number of her interviews with young talented musicians – representatives of different cultures, and attention is also focused on her research work devoted to the influence of Eastern aesthetics and philosophy on the work of J. Cage. Professional advice to young musicians on overcoming stage anxiety from Siqian Li, who at her young age (31 years old) already has twenty years of experience in competition and concert performances on many of the world's leading stages, is also useful. It has been proven that Siqian Li is a bright and, at the same time, typical for modern culture example of an organic combination of Eastern and Western traditions in piano performance and positions herself as a transnational artist.