Tong Zirong: Fulfill your wish

On April 10 this year, the music recital called "Yearning for the Sublime" that I disclosed in the evening newspaper was finally held as scheduled on May 23. I had feared that the recitation might fall into mediocrity, but it turned out to be beyond my expectations; I was nearly eighty years old, and I felt a little "incapable" in advance, and the result was that everyone on and off the stage was very happy. This can also be regarded as a birthday gift for our party's upcoming 100th birthday – even if it is just a small bouquet of flowers, just a small salon-style recitation.

At this moment, my heart is full of warmth, joy and emotion. I am personally insignificant, and I can't do anything without everyone's help and selfless assistance.

Deep thanks to dear audience friends. I learned afterwards that before the day was staged, it was pouring rain outside. But even the storm can't extinguish the enthusiasm of the audience to come and watch. Some of their shoes were filled with water and were still full of excitement; some of them still flew from Beijing from thousands of miles away. And I, the host who stayed on the stage from beginning to end, clearly felt the concentration of the audience's friends, they always listened and thought carefully at the bottom, the atmosphere was very good, and the actors on the stage were extremely infected and encouraged. I heard that no one left the venue halfway.

I would also like to thank the Evening News for its enthusiasm and support for our recitation as always. 20 years ago, when I first planned the "Yearning for the Noble" recital, the evening newspaper gave us all-round support, which is really a warm newspaper that "flies into the homes of ordinary people".

I can't forget, the actors who followed me without taking a penny, working hard to prepare and perform, you have worked hard. I know you're busy, and some of you have performances that night, and you can't even attend the celebration feast. What's the motivation? I think that in the final analysis, it is this complex of "yearning for the sublime", which inspires and unites everyone to complete a sacred mission together without hesitation - to rush for the happiness of the people.

Regarding these cute and respectable actor comrades, I can't help but want to say two more words.

At this recitation, there will be a piano on the stage, which is a feature of the performance. Because it is accompanied by improvisation, I am not very demanding, especially I do not want to trouble those artists. I had few friends in this regard, looking for trustees everywhere, no whereabouts, and the day of the recital was getting closer and closer. Forced to do so, I "relied on the old and sold the old" and dialed the phone of the master artist Kong Xiangdong without certainty. To my surprise, Mr. Kong did not say a word, agreed in one mouth, and did not mention any additional conditions. You can imagine how I was moved. After just a day or two of contact, Fang knew that Kong Xiangdong was a very naïve and even childish person. In the process of rehearsal and performance, completely at the disposal of the dispatch. Letting him accompany him is really overkill, but he happily runs in with the actors. On the day of the performance, he also took the initiative to ask for an additional performance of one of his programs, that is, his newly conceived works: "Love" composed by himself, played by himself, and recited by himself, which brought us unexpected surprises and inspirations. In the middle of the performance, there was an embarrassing accident, resulting in the death of a male vocal chorus program, what to do? What show is good for temporarily filling? We naturally think of Kong Xiangdong, can he add a separate program? Without hesitation, he immediately decided to solo the "Yellow River" piece for everyone. This famous song is what the audience is looking forward to, and the more enthusiastic piano sound makes us who know the inside story sound shocked and excited. It's really good!

Another person who wanted to talk was Ma Xiaohui. I invited her to collaborate 20 years ago when I first held a "Yearning for the Noble" recital, and she was already beginning to be popular. I wanted her to play "Two Springs and Moons," and she readily agreed. This time at the recitation, Ben did not arrange erhu performance, but I wanted to make the audience happy and happy, just two days before the performance, or try every means to get her phone (after a long time, the number can not be found), half-jokingly asked her: "Xiao Ma, are you still as kind as before?" She quickly replied, "Of course, Teacher Tong, I'm still like that!" "I knew it was done. Coincidentally, on the day of the recitation, she was free all day. After discussion, in order to match the atmosphere of the recitation, pull a "Spring River Flower Moon Night". In the afternoon performance, she also made a small episode on stage. She did not say hello, but as if after rehearsal, she "unauthorized" invited her mentor He Zhanhao, who was sitting in the first row, to the stage, and the two of them chatted about the various interesting things that this Sichuan baby had been admitted to the music. She also did not hesitate to show her own foreign appearance, which made the audience laugh. Great, I just needed such a vignette to adjust the atmosphere of the venue, and I couldn't ask for it. Her performance, classical and fashionable, was well received by the audience.

The recital is over, but it shouldn't end. Some people even suggested that "yearning for the sublime" be made into a brand, and the people will recognize and accept it. I think so. These four words, shining, are really charming and appealing. It is a great spirit. This spirit includes: kindness, simplicity, selflessness, altruism, endeavor and sacrifice and many other things. If everyone has a yearning and pursuit of the noble, then life will be better and healthier, right? (Tong Zirong)