——Canadian Pianist
From October 12 to 20, 2016, Mr. Roger Lord, who hailed as “The piano Prince of Canada”, respectively went to Beijing, Qufu, Jinan, and Xiamen hold four wonderful performances with the accompany of Foreign Director of Confucius Institute of New Brunswick (CINB), Mrs. Jing Teng, and they have achieved complete success on this meaningful trip.
Mr. Roger Lord is the professor of piano at the Moncton University now. Before he learned music in Canada and France, and received the Doctorate of McGill. Hailed as “The piano Prince of Canada” by the China Daily, some of his performance took place in world renowned venues such as Great Hall of the People located on Tiananmen Square and the Zhongshan Park Concert Hall in Beijing.
He has a particular interested in Chinese Culture and music and has released a CD named “Chinese Treasures” recording of Chinese piano music in 2012 with the help of CINB and China national radio studio. Mr. Roger Lord has been to many places in China, he enjoys his trip and love China very much. As the Chinese learner of CINB, he hopes that there are more and more people can listen to his music and his playing Chinese music as well. To promote China-Canada friendship is what he wants to do.
1. First Show in Canadian International School of Beijing
On the October 12, 2016, Mr. Roger Lord came to the Canadian International School of Beijing for celebrating the 10th anniversary of the school. Even the premier of Canadian province of New Brunswick, Mr. Brain Grant who was on his friendly visiting in China specially came here to celebrate with them. They met each other and got warmly talking. He expressed his sincere thanks to Confucius Institute to bring great Chinese Programs and promoted the development of culture diversity. And thanks to Mr. Roger Lord for what his doing to pass China-Canada friendship. In the Evening of concert, Mr. Brain Grant, the school leader and all the student with their family watched the pianist show and enjoyed it a lot.
2.Concert in Qufu Normal University for promoting China-Canada Friendship
On the October 13, Mr. Roger Lord with the Foreign Director of CINB, Jing Teng, was going to Qufu Normal University to have a performance for commemorating the establishment of China-Canada diplomatic ties 46 years ago. The secretary, Mr. Jing warmly welcomed them to come here. About the concert, it was great and special to attract many people. Mr. Roger Lord prepares very well and played the beautiful melody to make them impressed deeply. After the concert, Mr. Roger Lord warmly talked to teachers and students and took pictures with them. And Mr. Roger Lord spoke highly of those young students for their high quality. This was a wonderful concert for all the people.
After the concert, Foreign Director of CINB, Mrs. Jing Teng happily talked with school leaders, teachers and students, “As one member of CINB, we held this concert with Qufu Normal University today as a great gift for commemorating the establishment of China-Canada diplomatic ties 46 years ago. Leave a great mark on history of CINB.”
This trip to Qufu, there was another great thing for Mr. Roger Lord to visit Confucian Temple, and he got a great looking around there and personally felt the profound and charm of Confucius culture.
3. Lecture of “Chinese Piano Works” held in Shandong University
On the afternoon of October14, all the teachers and students of piano major from arts academy in Shandong University came to the small theater together and warmly welcomed Mr. Roger Lord to come here to carry out academic lecture.
Theme of this lecture was mainly focused on the “Chinese Piano Works in Western Pianist Eyes”, share his experience, art life and thought to make all of students deeply feel the special charm of Chinese piano music in the collision between Chinese and Western Culture. At the same time, Mr. Roger Lord put forward to some special ways to help them practice their piano skill. They got a lot of unexpected benefits.
Words and deeds were necessary for teaching. Mr. Roger Lord had a piano recital there. What he played were familiar Chinese music for them and erupted in applause.
Then, Mr. Roger Lord engaged interactions with students and exchanged experience with teachers to make the whole atmosphere peaked. They took a group photo to mark the occasion. And the lecture came to a successful end.
4. The Piano Recital of Canadian Piano Prince in Xiamen University
In the evening of October 20, the Center Music Hall of Xiamen University were totally full and burst into thunderous applause. Another great piano recital was going on.
At the beginning of the concert, Mr. Roger Lord brought them the “Swan” of Saint-Saens. Then he played three Canadian classic music and Chopin Waltzes.The top of the show was Chinese melody from Mr. Roger Lord, and he talked to them about his love for Chinese music and the first Chinese folk music he learned.
Mr. Roger Lord returned to the stage to have a first teamwork with Yangqin performance artists Pro. Yanfang Zhao and the student Han Hu from Flute Major. To show another Chinese music “Rosy Clouds Chasing the Moon” under the strong demands of audiences. And he A combination of Chinese and Western music brought a new feeling to audiences. They left the stage to rapturous applause.
When Mr. Roger Lord talked with teachers and students of Xiamen, he said he particularly interested in Chinese Culture and Chinese Characters. He read dozens of Chinese novels in French version, Hu Yu was his favorite Chinese writer, and his “Brothers” was his favorite novels. All teachers and students of Xiamen hoped that he would come here again and share with them about his love story with Chinese music.
5. Visiting the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing
Music without borders passes the friendship of China-Canada. Mr. Roger Lord loves China very much. As one member of CINB, he said he would make great efforts to promote deeply the friendship of China-Canada by music forever.
Before he went back to Canada, he visited the Confucius Institute Headquarters, Hanban and saw himself in the documentary film. He felt very excited and said with deep emotion:“I have a dream that I can play the Chinese music in the Global Conference of Confucius Institute someday. All people were moved by his true love for China and believed that he could make it.”
(Written by Jingli Wang of CINB)
“琴”牵你我，“情”系中加
——记罗杰· 罗德先生的中国巡演
2016年10月12至20日，素有加拿大“钢琴王子”之称的罗杰·罗德先生在新布伦瑞克省（以下简称新省孔院）外方院长滕菁女士的陪同下，分别在北京、曲阜、济南和厦门展开了四场精彩绝伦的巡回演出，并取得了丰硕成果。
罗杰·罗德（Roger Lord）现任加拿大蒙克顿大学的钢琴教授，曾在加拿大和法国等地学习，拥有加拿大麦吉尔大学的音乐博士学位。被《中国日报》誉为“加拿大钢琴王子”的罗杰·罗德曾在中国人民大会堂和中山公园音乐堂进行演出，诸多知名评论家称他为“富有演奏技巧的天才，精妙之至，情感真挚”。罗杰·罗德对中国文化非常感兴趣，更是对中国的音乐情有独钟。2013年他参加了新布伦瑞克省孔子学院的汉语学习班，努力学习汉语。学习之余，钻研中国乐曲。多年来，罗杰·罗德应邀出访中国26次，先后到北京、上海、天津、深圳、长沙、厦门、济南、青岛、哈尔滨和乌鲁木齐等20多个城市进行演出。他的足迹已遍布了中国的每个角落，一次次的中国之行，使他对中国留下了极为深刻的印象，结下了深厚的感情。
2012年，罗杰·罗德在新布伦瑞克省孔子学院的大力帮助下，与中国国家广播台中央工作室合作，录制发行了首张名叫《中国音乐瑰宝（Chinese Treasures）》的个人中国钢琴曲CD。2013年11月新省孔院联合市政府为他举办了一场《中国音乐瑰宝（Chinese Treasures）》CD发布会，加拿大法语电视台全程录制，并刊登在了报纸上。时至今日，他的中国音乐CD畅销海内外，使得越来越多的人听到了中国音乐，感受到了中国音乐的独特魅力。2013年，罗杰·罗德应北京电视台的邀请，作为国际客座艺术家之一在北京参加了著名的中国环球春节晚会电视节目的录制。也再一次让他感受到了中国人民的热情。作为新布伦瑞克省孔子学院的“金牌学员”，他表示非常荣幸能够作为中加文化交流使者中的一员，促进中加友谊的发展。他希望有更多的人能听到他弹奏的中国音乐，一起感受中国的音乐的魅力，了解古老而美丽的中国。
1、首都北京，国际都市与灵魂音乐的精神之旅
10月12日，罗杰·罗德先生在北京-加拿大国际学校的音乐大厅用精湛的琴技为观众们呈现了一场无与伦比的听觉盛宴，同时拉开了此次中国巡演的大幕。
此时恰逢加拿大国际学校建校十周年纪念日，正在中国国内进行友好访问的新布伦瑞克省省长布莱恩·格兰特专程前来祝贺，并与钢琴家罗杰·罗德先生及滕菁女士亲切会面，热情交谈。他表示，“非常感谢孔子学院为新省带来了汉语项目，促进了当地多元文化的发展，也感谢钢琴家用音乐传递中加友谊。”
演奏会当晚，新省省长与国际学校师生及师生家长们一同观看了罗杰·罗德先生的钢琴首秀音乐会，精通中加钢琴乐曲的罗杰·罗德用优美的旋律传达着对中加两国的爱，更是传递了两国之间的友谊。现场观众欣赏了十余首跨越古典与现代，兼具传统与创新的钢琴名曲。从他指尖下不断倾泻而出的动人旋律仿佛滚滚波涛，让观众一次又一次地感受到音乐的冲击力与震撼力，赢得了一阵又一阵热烈的掌声。
2、圣城曲阜，传统文化与现代音乐的完美邂逅
10月13日，罗杰·罗德先生抵到孔子故里、圣城曲阜，并于当晚在曲阜师范大学活动中心举办了“庆祝中加建交46周年”专场音乐会。
钢琴王子弹奏的那一首首中外名曲，有的舒缓优雅，有的清新明丽，这些经典曲目仿佛一束束灿烂的礼花，在空中绚丽绽放，引来全场观众不断爆发出阵阵热烈的掌声。音乐会结束后，罗杰·罗德先生还举行了专辑签售活动，不断与围拢来的同学们亲切互动。
曲阜师范大学党委书记荆兆勋教授对于罗杰·罗德先生到来表示了热烈欢迎，并同师生们一起观看了这场高质量、高水准的独奏音乐会。他表示，“这次演出真正做到了让高雅艺术走入校园，让当代大学生们直观感受到到高雅艺术的魅力，提升其艺术鉴赏情操。”新省孔院外方院长滕菁女士与校领导和师生们热情交谈中提到，“作为新布伦瑞克省孔子学院中的一员，在10月13日举办这一活动，我觉得是中加建交46周年的最好纪念，中加新黄金十年的生动写照。一定会在我们孔院历史上留下浓浓的一笔。”
此次曲阜之行，罗杰·罗德先生还参观了孔庙，他被这里气势恢宏和具有东方特色的建筑所吸引，瞻仰了孔子塑像，还想了解孔子更多的故事，他亲身感受到了儒家文化的博大精深与独特魅力。
3、泉城济南，国乐精华与西方旋律的奇妙化学反应
14日下午，山东大学艺术学院钢琴专业全体师生齐聚小剧场，热烈欢迎加拿大钢琴家罗杰·罗德先生，并聆听他的学术讲座。
罗德教授本次讲座主要是围绕着“关于西方钢琴家眼中的中国钢琴作品”展开，回顾自身经历，分享自己的艺术生涯与心得。当他第一次听到《二泉映月》的旋律时，被深深震撼了，眼泪不由自主地流了下来。他说那音乐之美是直抵内心、触碰灵魂的感觉，有余音绕梁之力，让他恋恋不舍，久久不能释怀。学生们从他的经历中深刻感受到了中西方文化的碰撞和中国传统音乐的魅力。罗杰·罗德先生还教给学生们一些有益的练琴技巧与方法，使学生们受益匪浅。
言传仍要身教。钢琴家还为该学院师生们演奏了自己拿手的中国乐曲，随着耳熟能详的中国音乐旋律从钢琴琴键中流淌出来的时候，在座的师生们响起了一阵阵热烈的掌声。随后，罗杰· 罗德先生与学生们热情互动，与教师们悉心交流，使讲座气氛热烈而融洽。学术讲座结束之后，罗德教授与全体钢琴专业师生合影留念，圆满结束了山东大学艺术学院之行。
4、最美厦门，中国巡演的最后乐章
10月20号晚，厦门大学科艺中心音乐厅内座无虚席，掌声雷动。罗杰·罗德先生为参加2016孔子学院外方院长研修班的外方院长和厦门大学的师生们带来了一场精彩绝伦的钢琴专场音乐会。
在演出当晚，罗杰·罗德先生先为大家带来了圣桑的《天鹅》，随后又演奏了三首颇具加拿大特色的古典音乐。然后又弹奏了动听的肖邦圆舞曲。演出的高潮部分是罗德先生倾情弹奏的两首中国听众耳熟能详的民间旋律。罗德先生介绍到，《晚会》是他学会的第一首中国民乐，这也是他与中国音乐“爱情”的起源。
在观众的强烈要求下，罗德先生表演了返场节目《彩云追月》，并首次与艺术学院的扬琴表演艺术家赵艳芳教授和长笛专业学生胡涵同学合作。中西乐器联合演奏的《彩云追月》给现场观众带来了耳目一新的感觉，得到了观众热情的掌声。
在与厦门师生们热情交谈时，罗德说自己对中国文化和中国文学非常感兴趣，他读过几十部法文版的中国小说，最喜欢的中国作家是余华，最喜欢的一部中国小说是余华的《兄弟》。在场的师生都对这位钢琴家赞赏有加，并希望以后他还能来到厦门大学，同他们分享他与中国音乐幸福甜蜜的“爱情”故事。
5. 孔院行,情真意切寄梦想
在返回加拿大前，10月21日钢琴家Roger先生专门拜访孔子学院总部/国家汉办。与孔院领导亲切会面，热情交谈。他先后参观了汉办的中国文化体验中心、教学展室，并看到了自己在新布伦瑞克省孔子学院纪录片里的镜头。他非常激动，深情地说：我有一个梦想，希望有一天能在“全球孔子学院大会”上演奏中国乐曲。在场所有人员都被他的这份真情所打动，祝愿他能够实现自己的梦想。
音乐无国界，传递中加情。罗杰·罗德先生此次的中国巡演不仅仅是弹奏出了琴谱上的动人乐章，更是奏响了中加两国人民共同谱写的美好希望。作为新省孔院的金牌学员，他对中国的热爱，对中国音乐的深情厚谊将会激励他在中加文化交流的道路上不断前行，做出更多贡献和更大成就！
（新布伦瑞克省孔子学院供稿）
