Ask the Sky and the Earth: An Oratorio for the Sent-Down Youth

The Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus’ performance of Ask the Sky and the Earth is the centerpiece of the Sent-Down Youth project, an Intercultural Exchange commemorating the 50th anniversary of China’s Cultural Revolution and the relocation of nearly 20 million urban young people from their homes and families to work on collective farms. Sung in Chinese, Ask the Sky and the Earth is an oratorio-cantata for full chorus and orchestra that attempts to convey the sentiments of an entire generation looking back on the sacrifice of their youth to Chairman Mao Zedong’s “up to the mountains and down to the villages” movement.

The GGSOC will be the first independent Western orchestra and chorus to present this piece, and we are very honored to be performing side-by-side with members of Chinese communities in the Bay Area, and guests from across the country. The concert also will include performances of Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, the “Pastoral”; the world premiere of composer Michael Kimbell’s Remembering for Atonement, poetry for the Sent-Down Youth by local author Viktoriya Neverov-Krstic set to music for this special event; and also will feature special Guest Artist Master Bo Li performing the Legend of Matouin on the Chinese "horsehead fiddle".


Soloists: Yi Triplett, Soprano; Lisa van der Ploeg, Alto; John Owens, Tenor; Shine Zhao, Tenor; Alex Ip, Bass-Baritone; and special Guest Artist Master Bo Li, Morin Khuur soloist.