SARASOTA, Fla.—“The music is very elegant and amazing. I was just blown away by all of it,” said Mathew Stern, a student after experiencing the Shen Yun Orchestra at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Oct. 27.

Father and son were celebrating a wonderful report card, Mathew’s choice, to hear the Shen Yun Orchestra. 

Lou Stern, an attorney, said, “We absolutely enjoyed it, absolutely enjoyed it! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but we loved it.”

According to the Shen Yun website, “Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra blends the spirit of Chinese music with the power of a Western orchestra. All-original compositions draw upon five millennia of culture and legends. Western strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass accentuate the sound of ancient Chinese instruments—like the two-stringed erhu and the plucked pipa. Never before have the exquisite beauty of Chinese melodies and the grandeur of a Western symphony been so seamlessly combined.”

Mathew said, “The violins, the new instruments that I haven’t even heard of yet. I just loved it.”

Mr. Stern added, “We never heard that sound before, and it was exquisite and elegant. We can’t wait to come back ... .” He was referring to Shen Yun Performing Arts which has four touring companies that tour the world simultaneously from December to May. 

Shen Yun has classical Chinese dance at its heart and through breathtaking music and dance, brings 5000 years of glorious culture to the stage.

“It’s enjoyable, it’s peaceful. We just love the whole evening,” Mr. Stern said.

“We enjoyed them, we really did. It was unique and we can only hope that the world can follow the lead of the orchestra.” 

Reporting by NTD Television and Leigh Smith

New York-based Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra comprises musicians from the four Shen Yun Performing Arts touring companies. Shen Yun begins its 2015 world tour on Dec. 26, 2014. For information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org. 

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time.