Olympic Times - Sports Daily

As the Olympic countdown ticked to 30-days the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee announced 30 new official songs for the world sporting extravaganza. Among the most prominent of the newly released tunes is Forever Friends. The work was composed by Kong Xiangdong and Giorgio Moroder.

In composing “Forever Friends”, Kong Xiangdong and Giorgio Moroder contributed immense time and energy. Kong Xiangdong says the composition was inspired by his friend Thomas Ho.

Thomas Ho is one of Kong Xiangdong’s best friends. He’s also a noted producer in the US. Ho has been involved in the production of movies like Platoon, Wall Street, Rain Man, Rwanda Hotel, and Curiosity Kills the Cat.

Right after Beijing was named as host for the 2008 Games, Thomas Ho made the suggestion that Kong Xiangdong compose a song for the Games. Thanks to Ho’s efforts, Kong Xiangdong met Giorgio Moroder, a master of sports anthems.

Kong Xiangdong believes that a song should have high artistic values. For a universal event like the Olympics, the theme should be accessible to average listeners and should resonate the spirits of participation and competition. He also says the Olympic song must be uplifting and inspirational.

A lover of traditional Chinese music, Kong Xiangdong made sure oriental elements figured prominently. In preparing to write the song, he went through more than a thousand Chinese folk songs. At last, he chose to focus on 40. These were his musical raw materials and his cultural inspiration.
It took Kong Xiangdong and Giorgio Moroder three years to write “Forever Friends.” The tune had its global release, August, 7th in 2007, in Beijing. Performing at the debut were the 14 finalists at the China Varsity Music Festival.

Since then, the two musicians kept working on the song. So far, both the Chinese-language and English-language versions have been produced. There’s an exquisite music video to go along.

A child prodigy, Kong Xiangdong began to study the piano when he was five. He gave his first public performance immediately after turning 15. Since then he has won many top awards at home and abroad. During a 20 year career as a concert pianist, he conquered audiences around the world.

Since 1997, Kong Xiangdong’s sphere has been confined largely to the Chinese mainland. He believes as an artist that he’s duty-bound to serve the people of his own country.

He has appeared at major events like the concert marking Macao’s return to China and the Spring Festival Gala on China Central Television.

Kong Xiangdong has earned his reputation as a brilliant artist, a musical activist, a cultural personality, and as a world renowned pianist.

from: cctv.com