The classical-meets-pop group Twelve Girls Band, which uses
traditional Chinese instruments to perform classical, pop, jazz and
folk songs, gave an outdoor performance on the plaza of the
Oriental Pearl TV Tower yesterday.
The 90-minute show was videotaped and will air next March in the
United States on PBS, the country's largest public broadcasting
network.
"The band established in 2001 is very Chinese and at the same
time very international," said Gustavo Sagastume, vice president of
programming for PBS. "There is no better means than music, which
traverses cultural barriers and goes straight to the heart of
people."
This show marks the first collaboration between PBS and Shanghai
Media Group.
The band performed several of its own songs yesterday, including
Miracle, Loulan Girl and Carnival, and
also collaborated with American singer Lila Downs on
Carmen, Summer Time and Beethoven's Ninth
Symphony.
"Next year the video of this television special will have
international distribution," said Teng Junjie, an official with
SMG. "The program co-produced by PBS and us will also vie for
awards at famous television festivals around the world."
The show was produced by veterans of the two broadcasters,
including Emmy Award winning producer George Veras and Grammy
Awards winner Bob Belden.
(Shanghai Daily? November 10, 2006)