The China National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) performed in Shanghai last night under the baton of its newly appointed Artistic Director, Shui Lan. The performance, held at the Shanghai Symphony Hall, marked the orchestra’s first programme in the Symphony of the Era – National Excellent Orchestra Invitation Exhibition.
Formerly translated as Music of Our Age by KLASSIKOM, Symphony of the Era is a national campaign and touring initiative aimed at spotlighting China’s leading orchestras alongside newly commissioned works supported by a dedicated government grant.
The project, now in its second edition, was launched in 2023 by the Central Publicity Department in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Shanghai Publicity Bureau, and the Chinese Musicians Association.
This year’s edition features ten orchestras, with eight of them travelling to Shanghai in May. Each ensemble, except three Chinese orchestras, is expected to present two programmes: one focused on Western classical repertoire and another showcasing contemporary works from recent commissions.
CNSO’s first programme in Shanghai featured Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye Suite and Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2, Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen with baritone Liao Changyong, and Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande. As encores, the orchestra performed Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance in E minor, Op. 72 No. 2, and the rousing conclusion of Ravel’s Boléro.
The second programme of CNSO will be presented this evening featuring all Chinese works.
