Melbourne is as renowned for its cultural centres as it is for its sports precincts but for its fourth Chinese New Year concert, East Meets West, the audience was not only treated to exceptionally talented artists, it also boasted an unusual athleticism. Conducting a large orchestra like the Melbourne Symphony is a physical exercise at the best of times but the repertoire for this concert required an extreme vigour and many people had returned to see multi award-winning conductor, Tan Dun, in action for the third time. His expressive, outstretched hand movements pointed definitively around the orchestra, his feet often leaving the podium to land on the stage, and his energy was infectious.

Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance from El Amor Brujo was the perfect choice to set the scene for the night. A story of love and passion around a smouldering fire, it built to a crescendo of beating drums and sizzling violins to signal the demise of an evil spirit and a victory for the lovers with a resounding flourish.

In this Year of the Rooster, the Chinese story of 100 Birds Flying towards the Phoenix was recreated in Melbourne by Liu Wenwen, one of the most renowned Suona players...