By LIN YING

Gaudi's architecture, a source of inspiration.

Muhai Tang's name has a poetic nuance -- the sea bathed in the sun's golden rays, and is usually associated with sailing, sunrise, and things of beauty. In 1983, at the invitation of Karajan, he conducted the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He has since frequently been invited to conduct various world famous orchestras. In 2001, on New Year's Eve, Muhai Tang conducted the New Year's concert in Antwerp, Belgium. It was a great success, and the following morning he flew to Vienna to attend the New Year concert held at the Vienna Musikverein conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

On May 24 this year, Helsingin Sanomat, the most famous newspaper in Helsinki, published a photo of Muhai Tang that covered over two thirds of its front page, on his taking up the post of chief conductor of Finland's national opera troupe. Tang always appears refined and cultivated, but when at work, he is very strict, and inspired by his emotions, he shouts, dances, and weeps. He needs to feel emotionally what he conveys physically; his gestures and utterances all spring from within.

Muhai Tang won the 2002 Grammy Award for his Concert de Gaudi for Guitar and Orchestra, under the category "Best Classical Contemporary Composition." A Spanish architect and vanguard of the 20th century architectural revolution, Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) is noted for his fantastic and distinctively romantic style of architectural design. His works are a source of inspiration for many artists, for example, Spanish painter Salvador Dali (1904-1989), and American composer Christopher Rouse. The concert begins with a brisk air, and moves into a volatile Flamenco, reminiscent of Gaudi's magnificent works. The combination of Sharon Isbin's brilliant solo guitar and Muhai Tang's conducting imbues the guitar concerto with a brilliant artistry. On being asked about their cooperation, Isbin said, "Wonderful, I was really amazed by his performance. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the project, and aroused the enthusiasm of the whole Gulbenkian Orchestra. He has made great contributions to this CD."

Muhai Tang and Chen Qigang at Le Bristol Hotel, Paris.

The latest CD, Teldec New Line 8573-81830-2, won the Konzerteinspielung award in Echo Klassik, the most important music award in Germany. The presentation ceremony is to be held on October 12-14 in Alte Oper, Frankfurt. Sharon Isbin will perform, and Germany's high-rating ZDF TV station will do a live broadcast of the event. The pity is that Muhai Tang will be unable to attend the ceremony, as he will be conducting the Chen Qigang (a famous Chinese composer residing in France) concert at the Beijing International Music Festival.

Muhai Tang studied composition and conducting at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, receiving his diploma in both. He was then accepted for master studies in the "Dirigent Meister Klasse" at the "Munchener Hochschule fur Musik under Prof. Michael Hermann, which he completed in three years, receiving the master's degree. Muhai Tang has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, the European Chamber Orchestra, and the National Orchestra of Spain. Recently Muhai Tang was named Chief Conductor of the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki. He will take up the appointment in January 2003.

LIN YING, doctor of eastern language and culture, currently lives in Antwerp, Belgium.