China National Traditional Orchestra
The China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO) (; also called China National Orchestra) is a 110-piece orchestra of traditional Chinese musical instruments with an accompanying folk choir. Founded in Beijing, China in 1960, the orchestra is a state-level (national) performing arts institution directly administered and endorsed by China's Ministry of Culture (MOC). Its mission is to promote and advance China's musical heritage. is part of a cultural exchange program called Image China and the orchestra is managed by the China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG). History The China National Traditional Orchestra was founded by composer and conductor Li Huanzhi (1919–2000), the former chair of the Chinese Musicians' Association. 's current president and producer is musician and ethnomusicologist Xi Qiang, who is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. In 1993, the China National Traditional Orchestra founded Orchestra Asia, together with Ensemble Nipponia of Japan and the South Korean National Orchestra. In the interest of promoting a larger view of Chinese culture, became the first Chinese orchestra known for combining music performance with other Chinese art forms, such as painting. Its 2015 concert tour Rediscover Chinese Music, was promoted as "a breathtaking multimedia experience" with storytelling, lighting and sound special effects, multimedia backdrops, and moving scenery. Alternate names The China National Traditional Orchestra has been known by several English names over the years, largely due to challenges with Chinese translation. The orchestra's Chinese name is pronounced in Chinese as Zhōngguó Zhōngyāng Mínzú Yuètuán, where Zhōngguó means "China," zhōngyāng means "central," and mínzú yuètuán means "ethnic nationalities" orchestra. In English-speaking countries, the has been misidentified as other similarly named Chinese orchestras. The orchestra has also been referred to by different names within the same news article and in the orchestra's own promotional materials. English variants of the orchestra's name include: Perhaps owing to its favored relationship with China's Ministry of Culture, orchestra leadership might have continually revised the ensemble's English name to reflect its current importance or social status, differentiate it from countless other Chinese orchestras, and emphasize the 's stated mission of "sharing China's musical heritage with the world." In 2015, the orchestra has been consistently billed and promoted as the China National Traditional Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center, as evidenced by venue calendars and ticket sales webpages. Notable orchestra members Xi Qiang, producer and president of the orchestra Musicians Wang Chaoge, director Jiang Ying, composer and arranger Liu Sha, conductor Tang Feng, Erhu Jin Yue, Erhu Wang Ciheng, Dizi and Xiao Wu Yuxia, Pipa and deputy president of the orchestra Zhao Cong, Pipa Yu Yuanchun, Pipa Wei Yuru, Ruan Feng Maintain, Ruan Niu Jiandang, Suona Zhu Jianping, percussion Yu Xin, percussion Chen Shasha and Ding Xiaokui, Dizi Zhang Jiali, Guan Lu Ning, Guqin Creative team Li Bin, stage design Wang Yugang, lighting design Gan Hua, multimedia design Zheng Zejian, multimedia design Zuo Huanyu, costume design Shen Tian, sound design Performances The orchestra has performed throughout China and visited dozens of