This is a Chinese and Japanese language programme with Chinese and English subtitles.
When the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra arrived at Nagoya College of Music (Meion) for its day-long residency, few expected it to leave such a lasting impression on the young musicians there. The programme, held on November 6th, brought together two cultures through the shared language of music.
It featured two masterclasses, one led by conductor Lin Daye, the orchestra’s Music Director, and another by renowned violinist Ning Feng, culminating in a collaborative concert on the evening of 6 November, where two Japanese students performed with SZSO.
For many students, it was their first close encounter with Chinese musicians of international standing. Piano major Maika Muraki, a 24-year-old graduate student, described how the experience changed her perception of orchestral collaboration. “Members of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra were so warm and powerful. From the first rehearsal, they supported me completely,” she said. “It was easy to trust them on stage, and that allowed me to play freely.”
Conducting student Reiji Tanaka, only 18 years old, shared how Lin Daye’s masterclass transformed his understanding of what it means to lead an orchestra.
A first-year student in conducting at Nagoya College of Music, Tanaka spoke of his admiration for Lin’s expressive approach. Tanaka, who had chosen Mozart’s Symphony No. 38 “Prague” and Beethoven’s Egmont Overture for the class, added, “I learned how to bring the score to life and connect more deeply with the orchestra.”
The residency was a dialogue between musicians who share the same passion but come from different traditions. As Lin Daye reflected, “Music is about connection. Through these exchanges, we discover that our ideas, our emotions, and our dreams are not so different after all.”
By the time the final concert concluded with rousing applause at Meion’s concert hall, it was clear that this was not just an academic exchange. It was a moment of genuine understanding between China and Japan, built on harmony, respect, and the universal language of music.
