娱乐英语新闻:Chinese composer wins top int'l musical award

MOSCOW, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun received here on Saturday top musical award named after Russian musician Dmitri Shostakovich.

Tan, as one of the most iconic contemporary Chinese musician, said he was "honored and so touched" to receive Shostakovich Award in Russia, "the hometown of music."

During the press conference before the award ceremony, Tan said music was just like a bridge connecting Chinese and Russian people together.

Recalling his early music life, Tan said he has got familiar with works of Shostakovich since a young age and held the Russian musician in high regard.

"There is no territory in the world of music. On this common platform, we could connect past with future, share ideas and thoughts, dig into inner self and pursue our dreams," Tan said.

The laureate then gave a performance to Russian audience in collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra of New Russia, during which Russian musicians using orchestral instruments to simulate Chinese folkloric instruments and natural sounds under the dramatic conducting of Tan.

The mixture of ancient Chinese philosophy, skillful performance and avant-garde expression received exuberant feedback from Russian audience.

Tan highly praised his Russian partners, saying their understanding of Chinese culture and philosophy was beyond his imagination. "I think they understood me very well, and I also knew them well," he said.

Tan, born in 1957 in the central Chinese province of Hunan, is widely-known for his scores for movies Crunching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, operas Marco Polo and The First Emperor.

He is also winner of Grammy and Oscar Awards, Grawemeyer Award for classical composition and Musical America's Composer of the Year.