A FRENCH horn quartet led by Han Xiaoming presented a concert with Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO) on March 1. Conducted by SZSO music director Lin Daye, the program included Chinese-born composer Chen Qigang’s “L’Eloignement,” Robert Schumann’s “Concertpiece for Four Horns and Orchestra, Op. 86” as well as Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73.” “L’Eloignement,” also known as “Zou Xi Kou,” or “The Remoteness” in English, is a 15-minute piece for string orchestra Chen wrote in 2003 based on northwestern Chinese folk song “Zou Xi Kou.” The piece reflects the composer’s nostalgia for his homeland and old friends after living many years in France. Schumann’s work, a three-movement concerto for horn and orchestra, is noted for its expressive, lyrical quality and harmonic innovation. It’s one of the best works ever written for horn, either in terms of techniques on the instrument or musicality. Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2 in D major” is another beloved piece by music fans. The cheery and pastoral mood of the symphony often invites comparisons with Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6.” Han, born into a music family in Shanghai in 1963, began to play the French horn at 10. Graduating at 17 from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Han furthered his studies at the New England Conservatory of Music, Freiburg Conservatory of Music and Munich Academy of Music and Drama. At 22, Han was appointed principal horn of the Wurzburg Philharmonic Orchestra, and later principal horn of the German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Having performed with such famous conductors as Georg Solti, Leonard Bernstein, Claudio Abbado, Lorin Maazel and Seiji Ozawa, Han has been active at international music festivals as well as performing as a chamber musician. At present, he is principal horn at the Saar Radio Symphony Orchestra in Germany, also serving on the podium at the Saar Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Central Conservatory of Music. Appearing with Han in the concert were his students Man Yi, Xu Yiqi and Guan Yue. （Li Dan） | 