53 years ago,"Ode to Red Flag"created by Lv Qiming was premieredin opening performance of 6thSSIMF. 53 yearslater, Ode to Red Flag will be performedagain on opening performance in Concert Hall of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. In this evening, 36thSSIMF will be opened in "My Motherland and I" Theme Concert Celebrating the 70thAnniversary of People’s Republic of China,conducted by Chen Xieyang, performedby singers Liao Changyon, Wei Song, Fang Qiong and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

　　In the period of 21 days, famous internationalmusicians and bands and many domestic young artists will bring 37 main performances, including 9 original music concerts and 6 special performances of young artists. On this stage, numerous new workshave depositedto become classics, and batches of new musicianshave growninto masters. SSIMF, the music festival with longest history in China, remains vigorous after evolutionof 60 years.

　　Generations of Old Artists Sail from here

　　Besides Ode to Red Flag, symphonic poemMonument of People’s Heroescomposed by Qu Wei, symphony chorus Heroic Poemcomposed by Zhu Jian’er, soprano solo Singing Folk Song for CPC; tenor solo My Motherland and I of Qin Yongcheng; music lyric poem China, My Lovely Motherof Lu Zaiyi, tenor solo Motherland, Amiable Mother and other classic melodies will be sungin theevening, which brings audiences back to the passionate years.

　　“I am a supporter, participator and beneficiary of SSIMF”. In February 1965, Lv Qiming was 35 years old then. He was commissioned at critical momentto compose Ode to Red Flagin that old apartment in Xinle Road. It took him just oneweek to accomplishthe work, which was premiered in 6thSSIMF. He sighed emotionally in theinterview with reportersthat:“There would be no 'Ode to Red Flag' without SSIMF”.

　　Symphony of Long Marchof Ding Shande also became famous in the stage of SSIMF. In 3rdSSIMF held in 1962, thiswork was premiered byShanghai Symphony Orchestraunder conduction of Huang Yijun. Later, Symphony of Long Marchhave beeninterpreted by different conductors,and performedoversea for many times. The grandiosemelody soundson the world stage again and again.

　　SSIMF has witnessed growth and rising of generations of composers. When First SSIMF was held, Lu Zaiyi was just a student of senior high school.“I was a devout admirer at that time and bought tickets of each concert for study.” In 1962, his virgin works was premiered on the stageof SSIMF. He became a participator. Later, he acted as Chairman of Shanghai MusiciansAssociation and became one of organizers."SSIMF plays critical role for my growth, and conduces to achievement of my music career”, Lu Zaiyi said. Not only composers set sail on this stage, many young singers also display their talents here.

　　In that year, Liao Changyong was a junior student in Shanghai Conservatory of Music, debuted on the stage of SSIMFand performed music lyric poem "China, My Lovely Mother"composed by Lu Zaiyi.“I appreciated the opportunity to perform such a work full of awareness of hardship when I was a student. This trust is especially valuable.” In his opinion, many students of Shanghai Conservatory of Music including him grew rapidly thanks to the stage of SSIMF.

　　Many Young Actors Appear on the Stage

　　Flourishing original vitality is always one of the most attractive traditions and connotations of SSIMF. In the past six decades, numerousmusic and dance works brilliant in history were famous from the stage,and became common memory of Chinese; generations of new artiststake off from SSIMF, perform in the country and march towards the world. 36th SSIMF will promotenew artists and new worksfurther, hold 9 high-quality original works concerts, such as"New Artist, New Works"Special Chinese Traditional Music Concert of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Cross-border Integration Art Theater "From the East to the West",'Strings and Chinese Verses"China Contemporary Music for Piano and Strings, etc, and 6 special performances of young artists such as "Firmiana Duo","Impression Piano Trio Performs Tchaikovsky and Dvo?ák","Concert forWinners of International Vocal Music Competition of Chinese Art Songs", Special Erhu Concert for Luluperformed by young performersfrom Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, occupying 40.5% of total 37 repertoires of the music festival, which not only displaysflourishing creation vitality of Shanghai musicians, but also provides a broader platform for young artists.

　　Besides new artists and new works, 36thSSIMFwill cooperate with art troupes, colleges and theaters with considerable domestic and overseas influences, such as Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Oriental Art Center and others to launch 9 performances of famous musicians and troupes,such as Tan Lihua & SPO ConcertandJaap Van Zweden & SSO Concert.

　　The 36thSSIMFwill inviteoutstanding artists and art troupes from Israel, France, Australia, Austria, Serbia and other countries for exchange, and hold 7 international exchange performances and build a broader international platform.