Chicago Chinese holds concert to mark 70th anniversary of victory of China's anti-Japanese war

Music of the Yellow River Cantata -- the most influential representative symphonic music work composed by great Chinese composer Xian Xinghai (1905-1945) -- brought the concert to the climax: the audience all stood up, clapping hands to the tune and singing along.

Members of the 600-person choir, believed to be the largest of its kind ever organized in the US, are from 16 musical groups in the greater Chicago area and nine states in the US Midwest.

Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Weiping praised the concert as a new chapter of patriotism shown by overseas Chinese.

Zhang Ange, son of Guang Weiran, lyricist of the Yellow River Cantata, was at the concert. He recalled the five days his father worked out the lyric, saying that his father was always encouraging.

Also present was Sue Zhang, daughter of Chinese anti-Japanese General Zhang Zhihong, and Shen Bei, daughter of the deceased China Expeditionary Army General Shen Chang, among several offsprings of anti-Japanese war heroes.

Organized by Dongfang Chinese Performing Arts Association and Asian Culture Center, the concert has drawn widespread attention. U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel have sent congratulatory letters to the event.