Shows
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBeijing Symphony Calls Out To Berlin PhilharmonicIn a recent press conference hosted by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing just before the premiere of Beijing Impressions, a BSO commission and orchestral suite from six composers in five continents, including Sven Daigger from Germany, Mr Li Changjun, President of BSO, called out to Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and thought it would be a good idea for BPO to perform Beijing Impressions.Filmed on November 12, 2025This is a Chinese language programme with bilingual subtitles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...
2025-11-1402 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicShenzhen Symphony Orchestra Delivers Powerful SoundThe Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra concluded its first ever Japan tour at the Kyoto Concert Hall last Saturday under the baton of Lin Daye, SZSO’s MD and President.The tour is intended to be a cultural bridge between musicians in China and Japan and also aims to bring them closer to understand each other better, said Lin shortly before the first sold-out concert in Japan at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall on November 4th.The orchestra has stopped in Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto in its inaugural Japan tour, staging two concerts of one programme th...
2025-11-1103 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicThe Art of Slowing DownThis is a Chinese language programme with bilingual subtitles.On 7 November at the Kuwayama Art Museum in Nagoya, members of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra found themselves in an unexpected dialogue between music and tea. In an exclusive and serene tea house, Principal Viola Yang Liuyin and Associate Concertmaster Wu Qian joined their string quartet colleagues for an afternoon that blended Mozart with Japanese tradition.They performed the second movement of Mozart’s Divertimento, its poised, transparent lines echoing the quiet focus of the tea ceremony. Afterwards, they put down their bows to whisk their own bo...
2025-11-1004 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicYoung Musicians in Nagoya Found Inspiration in Shenzhen SymphonyThis 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 pe...
2025-11-0806 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicShenzhen Symphony Made Debut in JapanThe Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra made its much awaited Japanese debut at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall under the baton of Lin Daye, its Artistic Director and President, on November 4th, 2025.The orchestra performed music by Beethoven, Takemitsu, Respighi and the world premiere of Wang Danhong’s commission from the city of Shenzhen.Catch an exclusive glimpse into the debut and the backstage scenes.This is a Chinese language programme with bilingual subtitles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...
2025-11-0506 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicTyumen Philharmonic Orchestra in China DebutThe Tyumen Philharmonic Orchestra from Siberia of Russia made its Chinese debut this afternoon on the big lawn in Shanghai, performing music by Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Under the baton of Donesk born conductor Yury Medyanik, the orchestra also played music by Chinese composers, notably the Paean to the Red Flag by Lv Qiming, and the Yellow River piano concerto jointly composed by a league of composers including pianist Yin Chengzong. Fang Yan was the soloist.The open-air performance is part of Art Space, the free outdoor concert series of CSIAF.This is...
2025-11-0203 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicLeon Chen on Why Pianists Should Look Beyond the KeyboardAmong the twenty young musicians gathered in Quanzhou for the Shanghai Conservatory of Music International Musician Competition, New Zealand-born pianist Leon Chen stands out for his broad musical perspective. Now based in London, Chen works as a répétiteur at the Royal Academy of Music, spending most of his days in opera rehearsal rooms, collaborating closely with singers and conductors. “We’ve just done Hansel and Gretel and The Magic Flute, with Carmen coming up next,” he said. “I went into répétiteur work because I really want to conduc. It’s a great way to start and m...
2025-10-3004 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicSir Bryn Terfel ventures into showbizBass-baritone sensation Sir Bryn Terfel returned to Shanghai following his much-acclaimed 2024 recital, this time making his house debut at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.Joined by conductor Gianluca Marcianò, the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, and soprano Liu Yi, Sir Bryn performed a colourful selection of opera arias, musical numbers, and cabaret songs.He opened the gala with two devilish arias by Boito and Gounod, both portraying Mephistopheles. The Welsh singer cast his spell over the audience with commanding presence and easy charm. In a moment of humour and spontaneity, he juggled three bottles of m...
2025-10-2802 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicAozhe Zhang plays Paganini2025 Paganini Violin Competition winner Aozhe Zhang plays Paganini in Anhui in front of the Anhui Orchestra with an introduction made by conductor Yongyan Hu. The showcae is intended to introduce Aozhe Zhang’s concert with Anhui Orchestra in September, his first collaboratin with an orchestra from his home province. Hefei, ChinaJuly 14, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-10-2605 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicFlying Tigers set to opera by Xu ShuyaShanghai based composer Xu Shuya has set the legend of Flying Tigers, a flying squard based and operating in China led by General Claire Lee Chennault during the War Against Japanese Aggression, to opera.Way of A Fighter received its premiere on October 12-14, 2025. It’s commissioned, produced and performed by the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music in Hangzhou with an Italian production team commemorating the 80th anniversary of the war.This is Xu’s eighth opera.Filmed on October 12th, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to disc...
2025-10-1502 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicOne century later, Wozzeck received Chinese premiereOne notable strength of China’s music scene is its openness to conductors who are no longer welcome in mainstream concert halls across Europe or the United States. Some of these artists have been branded with labels such as “sex offender,” “child abuser,” or “Putin’s puppet.”But not in China. When visiting artists steer clear of the so-called 3T1C taboos, China shows a rare measure of grace and tolerance — one that places art above politics. The list of musicians performing here in recent years could almost read like a “most wanted” roster in the eyes of the West.Charles Dutoit, f...
2025-10-1301 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicMariinsky unveils Mahler marathonThe Mariinsky Theatre has launched an extensive tour across seven Chinese cities — Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Kunming, Changsha, and Xi’an — featuring its ballet and opera companies as well as the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev.The tour began on 11 October and will run through 27 October, marking one of the largest overseas engagements by the St Petersburg-based theatre in recent years. Alongside its long-established stops in Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai, the Mariinsky will perform for the first time in Wuhan, Kunming, Changsha and Xi’an.Ballet Performances: Swan Lake and Le Corsaire...
2025-10-1206 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicShi Wule and Plácido Domingo to Unite for Concert in MilanOn October 12, 2025, maestro Shi Wule will lead the Wule Symphony Orchestra in a special concert at Sala Verdi, Conservatorio di Milano, with guest star Plácido Domingo. This performance forms part of the World Peace Culture & Arts Festival 2025.The concert will be staged in three parts: an opening segment showcasing cultural bridges between East and West (including works like Ouverture per la Festa di Primavera, La ragazza dai capelli bianchi, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, España Cañí, Capriccio italiano), followed by a combined dance and orchestral set, and concluding with a vocal meditation led by Shi Wule. At t...
2025-10-1202 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicModern Music and the Art of Acquired TasteThis is a Chinese language programme with Chinese subtitles.On a golden September afternoon in Beijing, writer and critic Rudolph Tang met Dr. Wu Dielan, a postdoctoral researcher at the Central Conservatory of Music, just outside the old city gate of Xibianmen. Their conversation—part of an ongoing dialogue about contemporary music—began with an unlikely metaphor: listening to modern music, they agreed, is a little like eating something unfamiliar, perhaps even daring.Both have been exploring how audiences might approach the sometimes-daunting world of contemporary composition. For Tang, who has spent years documenting China’s evol...
2025-10-1220 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicReflect on Ye Xiaogang's week-long festivalIn mid September three music institutions in Shanghai have worked together to present a series of events celebrating the achivement of arguably China’s most pre-eminent composer: Ye Xiaogang.Two orchestral concerts were presented by the Shanghai Symphony and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra while one chamber concert was brought to Shanghai by CUHK Shenzhen Conservatory.In this video Rudolph Tang talks to Wu Jiayu, student studying conducting at the high school affiliated to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and the two reflect on Ye’s music character.This is a Chinese language programme with Chin...
2025-10-1110 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicVoices of Spring on Chinese instrumentsMembers of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra played Johann Strauss Jr.’s Voices of Spring on the open-air stage at the annual 2nd Taihu Classical Music Festival hosted by BSO.In an innovative initiative, the chamber ensemble integrated four Chinese traditional instruments for some unique timbres: erhu, sheng, bamboo flute and pipa. The audience loved that.All events for the 2nd Taihu Classical Music Festival were free. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.co
2025-10-1002 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicFans to Bayerische Staatsoper: Come every yearThe residency of the Bayerische Staatsoper in Shanghai — comprising two opera performances and one orchestral concert — has captivated local audiences.Among them was Wu Jiayu, a high school student studying conducting at the High School Affiliated to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, who attended all three programmes from October 1 to 3. She was deeply impressed by the performances.Critics and fans alike have voiced out strong support for the residency on social media and in major newspapers.A direct agreement between the two institutions, coupled with generous support from the Shanghai municipal government, helped make...
2025-10-0506 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicOrchestra Director Envisions Festival as a “Big Party for Music Lovers”At a press conference on September 28 in Beijing, Beijing Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Director Li Changjun outlined ambitious plans to expand the Taihu Classical Music Festival into what he described as “a big party for classical music lovers.”The announcement came ahead of the second edition of the festival, which runs from October 1 to 7 in Beijing’s Taihu County in Tongzhou District.Speaking about this year’s programme highlights, Li emphasised the festival’s subtitle, “a festival for classical music lovers,” noting the importance of engaging a wider community beyond professional musicians. He said the BSO is considering...
2025-10-0301 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBayerische Staatsoper launches Shanghai residencyBayerische Staatsoper launched Shanghai residency last night by presenting Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer in a production directed by Peter Konwitschny.A dozen students from Shanghai, most playing piccolos, participated into the orchestra and joined the curtain call.The performance was conducted by GMD Vladimir Jurowski.October 1, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-10-0204 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicGuo Wenjing's Red Sorghum premiered in BeijingRed Sorghum, an opera in eight scenes with music by Guo Wenjing and story/libretto by Mo Yan, received its world premiered last night in Beijing at the NCPA. Catch a glimpse into the premiere night including footages on official merchandises and curtain call in this video.The show continues till October 3rd, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-09-2705 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicAn appreciation of Ye Xiaogang's musicGood morning Professor Ye, distinguished colleagues and guests,I am Gao Ying, Dean of the Composition Department at the China Conservatory of Music. My sincere thanks to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music for inviting me to attend both this concert of Prof Ye’s works and the symposium. I especially treasure the opportunity to join you all in reflecting on his creative achievements. This gathering is truly a profound meeting of artistic practice and intellectual exchange.Professor Ye Xiaogang is one of the most representative composers of our time, and a defining force in shaping co...
2025-09-2410 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicHeloisa Amaral on boycotting culture amid shifting musical landscapeOn a raining September evening in Oslo, the city hummed with the sounds of experimentation. In galleries, theatres, mausoleums and sewage treatment plants, audiences wandered into sound installations, heard ensembles threaded with electronics, and watched musicians push their instruments or voices to the edge of unkown. This was Ultima, Scandinavia’s largest festival of contemporary music, now in its 34th edition — and one of Europe’s boldest showcases of the new and the unexpected.Founded in 1991, Ultima has long been a collective enterprise. “Seventeen very important institutions in Norwegian cultural life created it, and they are stil...
2025-09-1913 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicWhere Rain, Stone and Voices ConvergeUltima - Oslo Contemporary Music Festival once again affirmed its reputation as one of the world’s most adventurous platforms for contemporary music. The 2025 edition runs from September 11 to 20 across theatres and unconventional venues like a mausoleum, a sewage treatment plant as well as galleries sparsely scattered around the town.Established in 1991 by Norway’s leading cultural institutions, the festival has become a fixture of the international calendar, known for stretching the boundaries of sound, place and experiments.Arrival in OsloA Chinese delegation of three attended the festival’s delegation programme running from S...
2025-09-1704 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicShanghai Hosts Festival Dedicated to Ye XiaogangShanghai is honouring composer Ye Xiaogang with a week-long festival of concerts and discussions titled “The Tide Rises, the Clouds Return”, marking both a return to his birthplace and a celebration of one of China’s most distinguished musical voices. The events run from 18 to 24 September, uniting three of the city’s leading cultural institutions: the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.At the press call yesterday afternoon, Ye delivered a heartfelt speech recalling his roots in Shanghai:“It is a great honour to be in Shanghai, my hometown...
2025-09-1001 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicSeiji Ozawa’s Dreamland of Music Endures in MatsumotoEach August, the city of Matsumoto in the Japanese Alps is transformed. Its streets are festooned in blue and gold, and music spills from concert halls, parks and community centres. At the heart of it all is the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, a creation of the late conductor that has outlived him, carrying his vision into the future.Founded in 1992, the festival was Ozawa’s answer to the question of what music could mean to a community. He envisioned Matsumoto not as a remote provincial town, but as a utopia where world-class music could flourish alongside local tr...
2025-08-3008 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicJoyful Spirit in Full Swing at Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto FestivalOn the morning of the festival’s second day, Matsumoto transformed into a lively celebration. A grand parade brought together 39 brass bands, featuring around 1,500 musicians from across Nagano Prefecture — from middle and high school students to college ensembles, community groups, and amateur players. For more than two hours, their music filled the air as they marched along the city’s main pedestrian streets under brilliant sunshine, drawing crowds into the festival spirit.In the afternoon, the focus shifted indoors to the Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre, where Nodoka Okisawa led the Saito Kinen Orchestra in a spirited performance of Ben...
2025-08-2604 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicMatsumoto Festival celebrates 90th anniversary of Ozawa Seiji with SKOThe Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (OMF)—the annual celebration of Seiji Ozawa’s musical evangelism—opened in earnest on the afternoon of August 23 at Matsumoto’s 2,000-seat Kissei Culture Hall. Though the Maestro himself is no longer physically present, the festival unveiled a packed ten-day programme centred on its crown jewel, the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), under a trio of conductors.Bathed in OMF’s signature blue-and-gold, Matsumoto has once again drawn loyal audiences, many travelling from Tokyo despite the two-and-a-half-hour high-speed train journey into this mountain-and-river-surrounded city. With major concerts and opera performances scheduled in the afternoons...
2025-08-2402 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicNorwegian Duo Brings Nordic Jazz Warmth to Shanghai HeatLast night at Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, the Norwegian duo of vocalist Siril Malmedal Hauge and pianist Kjetil Mulelid delivered an intimate and finely balanced performance that blended Nordic lyricism with the spirit of jazz standards in their first ever trip to Shanghai.The evening opened with Siril introducing the first song A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. Her voice, clear and luminous, carried the poetic sensibility of her homeland, while Mulelid’s piano lines provided a delicate yet dynamic counterpart. Together, they created a sound world that felt at once ethereal and grounded, drawing the au...
2025-08-2002 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicMahidol University hosted 20th TICFThe 20th Thailand International Composition Festival (TICF), held from 13 to 16 August 2025 at Mahidol University, reaffirmed its reputation as one of Asia’s most vibrant new-music gatherings. With more than 30 composers from across Asia, North America and beyond, the festival offered a panorama of voices that spanned traditional idioms, avant-garde experimentation, and AI-assisted creation.Demographically, the festival leaned strongly towards male composers, though works by female voices such as Yuwen Su, Yishi Zhong, and Mijia Chen brought welcome diversity. Thai composers, led by Narong Prangcharoen—the festival’s founder and dean of the College of Music—dominate...
2025-08-1802 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicSHCO launched inaugural residency at TICFThe Shanghai Chinese Orchestra's PX Ruan Soloists launched its inaugural residency programme at the 20th Thailand International Composition Festival (TICF) last night with a ruan recital at the pre-college auditorium.TICF, an annual contemporary music festival in Thailand, is hosted and presented by Mahidol University's Music College chaired by Dr Narong Prangcharoen, arguably amongst the most pre-eminent Thai composers.The residency continues today with a chamber music concert at MACM, followed by a workshop curated and lectured by Liu Bo, principal ruan of SHCO, tomorrow morning. The three-event residency programme is a joint...
2025-08-1502 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicWilson Ng on Championing Asian ComposersWhen Wilson Ng took the podium to lead the newly formed Asian Modern Symphony Orchestra (AMSO) in Hong Kong end of July, it marked the culmination of years of reflection, professional encounters, and a deep desire to reshape the place of Asian composers in the global music scene. In this in-depth conversation, Wilson outlined the origins of the orchestra, his formative experiences in Europe, and his vision for promoting music from Asia on the world stage.Wilson traces the AMSO’s beginnings to his long-standing collaboration with Professor Ye Xiaogang, one of China’s most prominent composers. In 2...
2025-08-1008 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicAsian Youth Orchestra celebrates 35th anniversary in ShanghaiMarking its 35th anniversary, the Hong Kong-based Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) gave a rousing performance at the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre last night, as part of an ambitious Asian tour spanning 13 cities across mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.Led by conductor Joseph Bastian, the 98-member ensemble delivered Rachmaninoff’s towering Piano Concerto No. 3 in the first half, with soloist George Li earning thunderous applause and offering two generous encores. The second half was devoted to Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 5, showcasing the orchestra’s depth and maturity.Founded in 1990 in Hong Kong, the AYO ha...
2025-08-0906 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicA Night of Tradition, Innovation and Artistic RiskFollowing is an English recap from a Chinese language programme with Chinese subtitles.On August 1st, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre played host to the second concert by the newly established Asian Modern Symphony Orchestra—a striking evening that fused classical tradition with bold artistic experimentation. From the thoughtfully curated programme to the orchestra’s youthful dynamism, the performance reflected a growing appetite for redefining classical music in contemporary Asia.The concert began with Khachaturian’s Spartacus Suite No. 2, a vivid, folk-inflected work brought to life under the baton of Wilson Ng, the orchestra’s co-found...
2025-08-0307 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicAsian Modern Symphony Orchestra Makes Dazzling Debut in Hong KongUnder the baton of Wilson Ng—who co-founded the newly established Asian Modern Symphony Orchestra (TMSO) alongside a group of Hong Kong’s rising young musicians—the ensemble made its highly anticipated debut last night at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.Presented by Music Lab, the first of two inaugural concerts featured a bold and diverse programme that bridged Western classics with contemporary Asian works. Highlights included Ye Xiaogang’s Scent of Green Mango for piano and orchestra, Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major (soloist KaJeng Wong...
2025-08-0101 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicMusic on the go at HKIANow in its third year, the HKIA Arts and Culture Festival celebrates music and dance in motion. For eight days spanning late July to early August, the annual event transforms one of Asia’s busiest airports into a surprising cultural hub, bringing live performances of classical music, Chinese music, jazz, and dance to the international travellers passing through Arrival Hall A of Hong Kong International Airport.Curated by Sheryl Lee, founder of the House of Asian Talents, today’s programme featured the Hong Kong-based Korvi Quartet on its main stage. The festival also aims to showcase young tale...
2025-07-3103 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicGuiyang Symphony performs Spartacus by KhachaturianGuiyang Symphony Orchestra, the leading privately run orchestra in southwest China now celebrating its 15th anniversary, presented a programme of Caucasian music last night at its home venue, Guiyang Grand Theatre.Under the baton of Zhang Guoyong—who has served as the orchestra’s music director for the past eight years—the concert featured Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto, performed by concertmaster Zhang Jinru as soloist, followed by two orchestral suites from Khachaturian’s ballet Spartacus. The evening opened with The Enchanted Lake by Anatoly Lyadov.Zhang Guoyong and the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra are set to embark on...
2025-07-1802 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicPostgraduate students showcase new orchestral worksTen postgraduate students of music composition, eight from Shanghai and two from Beijing, showcased their orchestral works in a portrait concert presented by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's postgraduate studies.A follow up concert featuring another ten pieces by ten students will be presented in six months.The Suzhou Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Zhu Qiyuan.Filmed and recorded at the Shanghai Symphony Hall on July 16, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack...
2025-07-1701 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicAnhui Orchestra announces inaugural seasonFor the first time in its nearly 70-year history, the Hefei-based Anhui Orchestra has announced its inaugural concert season at the Baixi Theatre.Unveiled this morning during a press conference and open rehearsal, the 2025 season will comprise twelve concerts, four of which will be led by the orchestra’s newly appointed music director, Hu Yongyan—a Yale graduate—at the theatre’s main hall, now the orchestra’s new home. The remaining concerts will feature performances by the Anhui Chinese Orchestra, which is affiliated with the Anhui Orchestra. The season runs through November.The season opens this...
2025-07-1506 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicInesa Sinkevych gave recital at SHOACCo-head of the piano department of the Manhattan School of Music, pianist and tutor Inesa Sinkevych gave a recital last night at the SHOAC by performing music by Debussy, Maessian, Chopin and Brahms.Undeterred by heavy rain, a full audience including some of her former students at Manhattan showed up at the recital. After the concert programme she went on to offer three encores including a piece by Scarlatti as captured in the footage.Filmed at SHOAC on July 11th, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...
2025-07-1303 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicEmperor of Japan plays viola in MongoliaOn the evening of July 8th, the Emperor and Empress of Japan attended a dinner hosted by the President and First Lady of Mongolia at the hotel where they were staying.At this dinner, His Majesty the Emperor played the viola on stage and performed with the Mongolian National Morin Khuur Symphony Orchestra, deepening international friendship through music. The full videos of the two pieces of music performed by His Majesty the Emperor on the viola has been released by NTVNews of Japan.The Emperor performed two pieces, one Mongolian and one Japanese, together with...
2025-07-1109 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicLise Lindstrom champions Bayreuth in ShanghaiBayreuth in Shanghai, a three-year residency programme to introduce stagings of Bayreuth Festival to Shanghai Grand Theatre, concluded last evening with Tristan und Isolde in a 2022 Festival production.The performance on Sunday afternoon was conducted by Xu Zhong, Director of the Shanghai Opera House which co-presented the residency. Lise Lindstrom, who has made her role debut in this production, champions in Isolde and dazzled in Liebestod, as captured in this footage.Filmed and recorded on July 6, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
2025-07-0606 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicJZ Club opened floor to swing danceJZ Club, one of Shanghai’s leading privately owned jazz venues, hosted a lively dance night last Thursday. Led by Alec, the bandleader of the JZ Big Band, and featuring Rong Chenchu on xylophone, the band performed swing-era standards for a crowd of enthusiastic dancers—mostly young people.The evening began with a short dance lesson, where two instructors guided participants through both slow and fast swing steps before the live music kicked off. Swing Night is a signature event at JZ Club, which also offers private dance instruction and runs its own jazz academy.Film...
2025-07-0603 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicStorytelling champions Song Siheng's immersive recitalSince winning the prestigious Marguerite Long Music Competition in France, Shanghai-based pianist Song Siheng has forged a distinctive path as a concert artist. On one hand, he is a frequent guest with major orchestras, performing the grand concertos of the repertoire. On the other, he is a pioneer of multimedia recitals, where the use of LED screens to enhance the listening and viewing experience has become a hallmark of his solo performances.That artistic vision reached a new peak last night with Piano Poems from the Earth, presented at the newly inaugurated PUSH Art Centre in Shanghai...
2025-06-3003 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicSenza New Strings brings aloha to ShanghaiUnder the baton of violinist and bandleader Chen Hongda, Senza New Strings performed last night at Dashijie in Shanghai, presenting a programme of fusion jazz inspired by Latin America.Founded by Chen with the aim of broadening and expanding the string repertoire, the ensemble has evolved from classical crossover roots into a unique voice. Chen has led the group in performing signature pieces adapted from jazz and film music—genres not typically associated with string ensembles.This performance marks Senza New Strings’ debut at Dashijie, a much storied amusement park in downtown Shanghai that once stru...
2025-06-2904 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicSitkovetsky Trio concluded China tour in ShanghaiThe BBC Music Awards winning Sitkovetsky Trio concluded its fornight long China tour Tuesday night with a concert in Shanghai at the SHOAC in a programme of Beethoven, Shostakovich and, in the second half, Mendelssohn.They offered an arrangement of the Butterfly Lovers violin concerto as encore. The audience immediately erupted with emotion.The tour was managed by a charitable music fund based in Surrey in the UK. Previous stops of this tour in Chengdu and Hangzhou have been met with enthusiasm, the presenter claims.The footage was filmed during the concert on...
2025-06-2604 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicWake Up by Yuson ShaoWake Up, an electronic music theatre created by Yuson Shao, a student about to finish his undergraduate study of composition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, was staged this afternoon along with other works at the recital hall of the Conservatory. It loosely followed the storyline of a student being abruptly woken by a teacher’s call to finish homework in the middle of a dream. Still dazed and disoriented, he struggles to wake up, only to collapse back into deep sleep after a brief effort. Electronic music + dance scene Filmed on June 20, 2025 in...
2025-06-2009 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBringing the Voice of History to Hong KongRenowned guanzi virtuoso and professor Han Lei recently brought the soulful sounds of this ancient Chinese double-reed instrument to Hong Kong City Hall, captivating audiences with a powerful blend of tradition and innovation. Presented in collaboration with the Hong Kong Cantonese Music Ensemble, the recital—“Lion Rock Alumni”—was the culmination of a shared dream to introduce the guanzi to a broader Hong Kong audience.The guanzi, with its rich, human-like tone and deep historical roots dating back to the Han Dynasty, once flourished in imperial court music and later among the people. Today, it remains a lesser-k...
2025-06-1711 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicYin Chengzong on helping Lang Lang in the United StatesChinese piano legend Yin Chengzong talked about his impact on Lang Lang in the United States. He said that he gave him everything at that time, and offered thousands of lessons to Lang Lang for free. He even invited Lang Lang to stay at his place in New York, and arranged for Lang Lang to study at Cleveland.In the first half of the video, Yin showed pictures and newspaper clips. One of the newspaper clips dating back to 1994 reads “Li Delun refuses to conduct the Yellow River Concerto".This is a Chinese pr...
2025-06-1703 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicDmitry Masleev performs in ChinaWinner of the 2015 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Russian pianist Dmitry Masleev gave a recital at the Shanghai Grand Theatre performing music by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky. Shanghai Grand TheatreJune 10, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-06-1502 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicJu Wenpei on Stardom, Reinvention, and Life Beyond the SpotlightJu Wenpei—an award-winning actress known for her roles in major blockbusters, and a composer behind scores for hit films—sat down with us for an exclusive interview in Shanghai.Filmed on April 28, the conversation captures the pivotal moments that shaped her life: from winning her first pageantry as a music student at college, to landing her debut audition and acting contract, to the unexpected decision to step away from the spotlight and pursue a quieter, more introspective path in a classroom or a recording studio.This is a Chinese programme without subtitles. ...
2025-06-131h 17
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicYin Chengzong talks about smashing piano mentalityChinese pianist and composer Yin Chengzong met with Rudolph Tang at his home in Kulangsu, Amoy and greeted him for an exclusive interview. In the first episode of the talk, Yin offered water, complained about media censorship and the lack of visilibity of his concerts, and dived in the untold past in China when piano was meant to be smashed. This is a Chinese programme with heavy Hakka accent. Chinese and English subtitles are available.Interviewed and filmed on June 8th, 2025 in Kulangsu, Amoy of China. This is a public...
2025-06-1203 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBarber of Seville Staged in Xiamen by Zheng Xiaoying Opera CentreRossini’s beloved opera The Barber of Seville was brought to life at the Kah Kee Theatre in Xiamen (Amoy) by the Zheng Xiaoying Opera Centre, in a production directed by renowned bass-baritone Sun Li.At 96 years old, Zheng Xiaoying—a pioneering figure in advocating opera in Chinese—led the Fuzhou Straits Symphony Orchestra from a stool in the orchestra pit, demonstrating undiminished passion and stamina.The production featured a star-studded cast, with Li Ao as Bartolo and Dai Ziyi as Rosina, delivering performances full of wit and charm in the native language understood and spoken...
2025-06-1103 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicYin Chengzong Celebrates 75 Years on Stage with Historic Recital in KulangsuOn June 7th, 2025, Yin Chengzong—arguably China’s most towering pianist—marked 75 years on stage with a landmark recital at the Kulangsu (Gulangyu) Concert Hall. The 700-seat venue was filled to capacity with an eager audience, all fortunate enough to witness the performance of a living legend.Tickets were offered free of charge and were snapped up within minutes of becoming available.The concert celebrated two significant milestones: the 55th anniversary of the Yellow River Piano Concerto, which Yin co-composed with three others, and the 75th anniversary of his debut on Kulangsu. That debut took place...
2025-06-0902 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicJames Brawn on recording complete Beethoven piano sonatasBritish pianist and educator James Brawn has never been one to stay still. A concert pianist and recording artist with a truly international career, he relocated to China in 2016 and made Shanghai his home—a move he describes as “life-changing.”Now based in the city, Brawn balances teaching at a private music training institution with an active performing and recording schedule. His critically acclaimed complete recording of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, released by U.S.-based label MSR Classics, received glowing praise, including a rave review from The Times.Now in his fifties, Brawn firmly believes...
2025-06-071h 04
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicPeter Tomasz on living in China and playing ChopinPolish pianist and educator Peter (Piotr) Tomasz currently lives and works in Shanghai, where he teaches at a private music academy and occasionally performs at major venues across the city.On March 22nd, he appeared in recital alongside fellow pianist James Brawn at the Chamber Hall of the Shanghai Symphony Hall, performing a selection of his signature Chopin repertoire. The concert also marked the launch of Tomasz’s ambitious project: to perform and record the complete works of Frédéric Chopin within a condensed time frame.In this interview, Peter reflects on his musical upbr...
2025-06-0655 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicAn incomplete surney on music inspired by Tang poemsJazz saxophonist and clarinettist Huang Ye and his band performed Li Bo Suite on June 2nd at JALCSH.Inspired by the poetry of Li Bo—arguably the greatest poet of the Tang dynasty—Huang Ye composed this jazz-pop fusion work as a tribute to the iconic literary figure. The performance featured guest artists from the ensemble Senza Strings, led by jazz violinist and fiddler Chen Hongda.Following the concert, I sat down for a conversation with Wu Jiayu, a high school student currently studying conducting at the middle school affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Musi...
2025-06-0514 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicRolando Villazón makes China debut in ShanghaiMexican tenor and seasoned anchor Rolando Villazón made his long overdue China debut last night at the Shanghai Grand Theatre by singing Spanish and Portugese art songs as well as folk songs from his album Serenata Latina. He was accompanied from harp by French harpist Xavier de Maistre.He generouslly offered three encores after the programme, and introduced unfamiliar Latin American composers to the China audience.The tenor jokingly promised that he would return to China next time by speaking Chinese or even singing Chinese songs. This is a public episode. I...
2025-06-0403 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicFrom Belfast to BeijingHard Rain SoloistEnsemble made its first and historic visit to China from Northern Ireland by giving a performance at the Beijing Modern Music Festival.Here's a glimpse into the groundbreaking concert and acknowledgememt made by its artistic director at the end of the concert.Recorded in Beijing on May 19, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-06-0203 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicPianist Reflects on PTSD After Performing Modern MusicThis video marks the second conversation in a series with Dr Wu Dielan, exploring how to listen to contemporary music—and what audiences can expect from living composers—following twelve intense days immersed in modern music performances in Beijing this May. The discussions were recorded after two major events hosted by the Central Conservatory of Music and the China Conservatory of Music.Dr Wu, a concert pianist and postdoctoral researcher at the Central Conservatory of Music, shares her reflections from both a listener’s and performer’s perspective. Speaking candidly, she recalls experiencing symptoms of PTSD after performi...
2025-05-3110 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicWhat to listen for in contemporary music?The first series of conversations with Dr Wu Dielan on what to listen for in contemporary music after a dozen days intense listening to modern music in Beijing in May at two events hosted by two major conservatories: the Central Conservatory of Music and the China Conservatory of Music.Dr Wu is a concert pianist currently conducting her post doctoral research at the Central Conservatory of Music. Her remarks were made from the perspectives of a listener and performer.Filmed and recorded in Beijing on May 24th, 2025.This is a Chinese programme with...
2025-05-3121 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicYe Xiaogang on 40 years of Chinese musicAs Chair of the Chinese Musicians Association, composer and professor Ye Xiaogang talked about the achievements made by generations of Chinese composers since the first Exchange of Chinese Composers was launched in 1985.He made the remarks at the opening keynote of the 2025 edition hosted by the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing.Music by seven composers featured in the video were filmed at the opening concert of ECC on May 22 at Beijing Concert Hall.This is a Chinese programme with Chinese subtitles. This is a public episode. If you would...
2025-05-3007 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicExchange of Chinese Composers closed in upbeatExchange of Chinese Composers concluded on May 25th with a gala performed by the China National Ballet Orchestra under the baton of Zhang Chengjie at the China Conservatory of Music. Eight pieces by eight composers were performed alongside with an award ceremony for young composers and musicologists.Founded in 1985, the programme, dedicated to fostering young composers, has been hosted by major conservatories since then on a rotating basis. The 2025 edition was presented by the China Conservatory of Music. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
2025-05-2802 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicLeading Composers Call for Permanent Contemporary Music EnsembleTwo prominent composers have called for the establishment of a permanent contemporary music ensemble in China. Their appeal came during Exhange of Chinese Composers (ECC), the ongoing national campaign and symposium for young composers to present their works and learn funding preferences. The event is hosted by the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing.The previous ECC was hosted by the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu in November 2022.When asked whether China should follow the example of countries like Austria, Germany, and the United States in establishing a dedicated ensemble for modern music, Professors...
2025-05-2403 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicYe Xiaogang Lashes Out at “Ivory Tower” Mentality Among Young ComposersComposer Ye Xiaogang gave a 90-minute lecture titled "A Breakthrough Is Urgently Needed in Music Composition" this morning at the China Conservatory of Music. It's the opening keynote speech at a national symposium for young composers. In the lecture, he offered profound words of encouragement to young and mid-career composers, while also pointing out the prevailing issues of "ivory tower" mentality and "circle culture."He went on to criticise their works for lacking accessibility. This is a Chinese programme with Chinese subtitles. This is a public episode. If you would...
2025-05-2202 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicJapanese traditional music made impact in BeijingFive musicians from the Contemporary Hougaku Ensemble of Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Japan travelled to Beijing to perform last night at the Beijing Modern Music Festival, hosted by the Central Conservatory of Music.Led by composer and conductor Masataka Matsuo, the ensemble presented a programme that combined traditional Japanese music with contemporary works. Pieces by Jin Nyodō, Toshiro Mayuzumi, and Hachibashi Kaori were featured alongside compositions by four Chinese composers.Footage from the concert includes a performance of Tsugaru Jongara Bushi by shamisen virtuoso Someya Misato.In an interview following the c...
2025-05-1803 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBeijing Modern Music Festival kicked off at NCPAA concert devoted entirely to the music of Ye Xiaogang was presented last night at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Conducted by Jin Yukuang, the Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra travelled to the capital to perform four of Ye’s signature works, including two SCPO commissions.The programme featured The Loquat in Five Colours, Capriccio: Jade Goddess of Mercy for violin and orchestra, The Backyard of the Village, and the five-movement vocal-orchestral suite Du Fu’s Thatched Cottage. The orchestra was joined by violinist Gao Can, tenor Shi Yijie, baritone Liu Songhu, and soprano Qu Weiq...
2025-05-1602 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicGuiyang Symphony commemorates Shostakovich's 50th death anniversaryThe Symphony of Era – National Excellent Orchestras Invitation Exhibition continued this week with two programmes presented at the Shanghai Symphony Hall by the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dr Zhang Guoyong, its Music Director.Tuesday night’s performance featured an all-Shostakovich programme in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Russian composer’s death. The programme included the Festival Overture, Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring pianist Song Siheng, and the powerful Symphony No. 5 in the second half.Dr Zhang has led the Guiyang Symphony since 2016, a period marked by transformation for the once troubled and un...
2025-05-0602 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicThe Uyghur composer chose to speak outChinese composer Yikeshan Abudushalamu, also known by his Arabic name Ihsan Abdusalam, is a Uyghur native of Urumqi.Winner of the inaugural Luciano Berio International Composition Competition, his works have been performed by leading orchestras such as the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome and the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Turin, under the baton of renowned conductors including Sir Antonio Pappano.His 2020 commission Repression, a 14-minute work for large orchestra, was published by Universal Edition under his legal name and remains his only composition currently available for hire through an international pu...
2025-05-0403 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicCNSO continues Symphony of Era with second concertThe China National Symphony Orchestra returned to the Shanghai Symphony Hall last night with its second programme, part of the Symphony of the Era – National Excellent Orchestra Invitation Exhibition.Jing Huan led the performance, which featured three works by composers closely associated with the CNSO. The concert opened with Festival Overture by Shi Wanchun, a colourful work enriched by the integration of two traditional Chinese instruments, adding unique timbral layers to the orchestration.Next came Zhao Jiping’s Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the composer’s most performed works. Chen Xi appeared as the soloist.T...
2025-05-0404 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicCNSO featured at Symphony of EraThe 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 Ce...
2025-05-0306 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicSun Yifan conducts Kodály, Janáček, Berg and LisztA doctoral candidate of conducting at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Sun Yifan conducted the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in his doctoral graduation concert. The programme featured music by Kodály, Janáček, Berg and Liszt, with violinist Julian Rachlin as the soloist in Berg's Violin Concerto. Sun's score was full of notes he prepared for this concert. Here's a glimpse. Shanghai Symphony HallMay 1, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-05-0201 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicInternational Jazz Day celebrated at LyceumJazz trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III returned to China for his third visit, staging his second show of the tour with his quartet at the historic Lyceum Theatre in Shanghai on 30 April, in celebration of International Jazz Day.The performance, part of China’s official contribution to the 2025 International Jazz Day global programme, paid tribute to jazz greats and traced the music’s roots back to its birthplace in New Orleans.Midway through the concert, Benny dedicated his favourite song, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, to "a world not so wonderful" — a poigna...
2025-05-0105 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBenny Benack III shows formidable jazz scat singingJazz luminary, trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III returns to Shanghai with his quartet to celebrate the International Jazz Day at Lyceum.Prior to that he is caught hot at JALC Shanghai, his first set and first gig in the week long China tour, showing formidable jazz scat singing with Mar Vilaseca in Ella Fitzgerald. JALC ShanghaiApril 29, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-04-2909 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicUndergraduates of SCM perform musical numbersThree undergraduates from the musical department of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music perform musical numbers at Jazz at Lincoln Centre Shanghai. The girls are accompanied by TINA from keyboard and another two women instrumentalists, making it an all-female band of six.Here’s a glimpse into the show on April 26, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-04-2708 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBringing the Theatre Back to the PeopleFrom my experience travelling across China, it’s hard to escape the impression that most theatres care little for grassroots ticket buyers.Some of my worst encounters have happened not inside theatres, but just outside them. At one venue in central Beijing, I repeatedly struggled to collect tickets left by friends. Tight security regulations barred any handover between people inside and outside the checkpoint, and staff showed little interest in helping resolve the issue.In Shenzhen, only recently, I found myself unable to retrieve a ticket left for me in an automated locker at the Sh...
2025-04-2641 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicThe Flowing Stream fusion styleThe Flowing Stream is a popular Yunnan folk tune.Here’s a new arrangement of the tune by Xu Ke performed at the closing of Z+ Festival at the Shanghai Symphony Hall on April 20, 2025 by pianist Zee Zee and her friends. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-04-2311 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicZ+ Festival closes with Bartók and ShostakovichInitiated by pianist Zee Zee, the Z+ Festival—an annual celebration of chamber music either originally written or adapted from other genres—entered its second edition in 2025.The closing concert on Sunday evening featured Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 15, performed in Victor Derevianko’s arrangement for piano trio and percussion by Zee Zee and her friends: violinist Ning Feng, cellist Chen Yibai, erhu player Lu Yiwen, flautist Bartolomeo Audisio, percussionists Fu Yifei, Georgi Videnov and June Moon Kyung Hahn.Framed between these two masterpieces were new arrangement...
2025-04-2201 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicWuxi Symphony performs at China's top universityUnder the baton of Lin Daye, the Wuxi Symphony Orchestra presented its second programme in Beijing at Tsinghua University, following its debut at the NCPA. The concert featured two works by the orchestra’s music director, Li Shaosheng, alongside Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major and two encores.Pianist Yin Zhi joined the orchestra for the Ravel, while suona player Zhang Qianyuan and tenor Xue Haoyin were featured in Li Shaosheng’s orchestral suite Flying Apsaras—a work that traces the story of China’s manned space programme back to the realm of ancient mythology.Here’s a...
2025-04-2103 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicLa bohème starring Xiahou Jinxu and Yu GuanqunThe Shanghai Conservatory of Music presented Puccini’s La Bohème in a re-imagined production by the China National Opera, directed by Li Wei, at the Shangyin Opera House on 17–18 April 2025. The production starred soprano Yu Guanqun as Mimi and tenor Xiahou Jinxu as Rodolfo, both making their debuts at the venue. Soprano Luo Yudan portrayed Musetta, and baritone Hu Sihao played Marcello.The performance featured Jin Yukuang conducting the Camerata Novus-Classica in the pit, with the SCM students' chorus providing vocal support on stage.The production was overseen by Guan Jun, a vocal coach and f...
2025-04-1803 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicChen Xiang dazzles in Ernst and detached bowVeteran violinist Chen Xiang dazzled the audience last night at the Shanghai Symphony Hall by performing two violin concertos back-to-back.In the first half, he delivered a rare live rendition of Violin Concerto "Pathétique", Op. 23 by Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst — a notoriously demanding piece celebrated for its sheer bravura. In the second half, he took on Dvořák’s concerto, performing with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Zhang Liang.But it was during the encores that the hall erupted. At 56, Chen demonstrated his formidable virtuosity with Introduction and Variations on "Nel cor più non...
2025-04-1411 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicLecture on experimental music at top conservatoryI had a wonderful time yesterday afternoon giving a lecture at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, primarily to students of composition and conducting. Among the audience were also professors and visual artists, adding to the richness of the discussion.The main theme of my lecture was conducting experimental music. I shared interview and concert footage that I filmed and produced at the Borealis Festival in Bergen, along with personal reflections on this vibrant event, which brought together all genres of music in the most unexpected corners of the city during a sunny week in mid-March....
2025-04-1202 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicNine Trees Phil performs Beethoven and Yellow River at SSIMFThe Nine Trees Philharmonic Orchestra, based in the Fengxian district of Shanghai, announced this week that veteran conductor Muhai Tang has been reappointed as Music Director. Tang, who originally served as the orchestra’s founding Music Director, returns to the post after being replaced just two seasons into his initial tenure.Named after the Nine Trees Future Arts Center, the orchestra is the resident ensemble of the venue and is located in southern Shanghai. The orchestra is home to one of the largest musician expat communities in China, including Ukrainians who began moving there around 2016.La...
2025-04-0803 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicNino Rota in LiangshanNino Rota’s Divertimento Concertante for Double Bass and Orchestra is such a rarity on Chinese concert stages that any performance of the work deserves special mention.In Xichang, Sichuan province, double bassist Xu Li performed the piece with the Liangshan Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Tang Qingshi, the orchestra’s founder and artistic director. The Liangshan Symphony operates under extremely challenging financial conditions, making this performance all the more remarkable.The concert, held on April 4th at the Jinying Grand Theatre in Xichang, was part of a budget-friendly series for the local community. Foll...
2025-04-0706 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicNarong Prangcharoen on Mahidol MusicNarong Prangcharoen is the Dean of the College of Music at Mahidol University. A prolific composer and founder of the annual Thailand International Composition Festival (TICF), he has led Mahidol’s music programme towards a new standard of excellence.In 2024, as the College celebrated its 30th anniversary, Mahidol Music was ranked 35th in the QS World University Rankings for music education—remaining the only Thai institution in the global top 50.The college, part of the prestigious Mahidol University, has flourished under Narong’s international vision, bolstered by a globally connected network and a strong international facult...
2025-04-0613 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicTimeless Four Seasons pays tribute to VivaldiOn the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Chinese composer Wen Ziyang pays tribute to the timeless classic with his own interpretation of the four seasons.His answer is Timeless Four Seasons, a set of twelve-movement violin concertos, each depicting the scenery and mood of a particular season. Commissioned by Major Music, the work premiered on 31 December 2024 in Changsha, Hunan Province, performed by violinist Lv Siqing.Wen employs a rich tapestry of modern techniques alongside the pentatonic scale to enhance expressiveness. He also weaves folk elements from Beijing, Inner Mongolia, and Tibet into the st...
2025-04-0413 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicYe Xiaogang pushes contemporary music into spotlightThree portrait concerts of Ye Xiaogang, arguably China's most performed and pre-eminent composer, were staged in a week.It started with two sold-out concerts of his Symphony No. 5 "Lu Xun" on March 28 to 29 in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, performed by Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Lin Daye. The frenzy continued last night at the Shanghai Symphony Hall when Chen Xieyang led Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in three of Ye's signatures.The concert is a lineup of the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival.With music performed by top orchestras conducted by directors at halls...
2025-04-0201 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicWest Bund Theatre opens in ShanghaiThe West Bund Theatre in Shanghai opened in March with a gala of musical gems. The star-studded cast included Broadway veterans Meghan Picerno, Ben Crawford, Aime Atkinson, Nic Rouleau, Syndee Winters, and Brittney Mack. The show is a programme of the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival (SSIMF).Managed by the Shanghai Grand Theatre Art Centre, the West Bund Theatre is positioned as a musical specialised venue like the Shanghai Culture Square. Agencies who’re interested to book the venue or musicians keen to touring to this newly opened theatre might find it useful to talk to Mrs So...
2025-04-0111 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicTurn ancient bronze implements into musicIn ancient China around 3,000 BC, bronze implements were specifically manufactured by the court for use in daily life as well as in rituals. Bronze artifacts, sometimes weighing tons, are considered the most sacred and majestic among other utensils to serve the gods and guests.In a concert last night at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music celebrating the intangible cultural heritages now preserved in Shanghai, SCM composer Li Nixia presented Bronze Implements, a trio for sheng, zheng and percussions. In the music she transformed the enigmatic ritual practices into a heart-gripping journey that required both virtuosity and sensibility...
2025-03-3102 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicRevival of Ye Xiaogang's Symphony No. 5With the CD and vinyl release this month of the Symphony No. 5 "Lu Xun" by Ye Xiaogang, argubly China's most performed living composer, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra ramped up its performance of the symphony premiered April 2017 in Beijing. Here's a glimpse into the concert last night at Shenzhen Concert Hall. SZSO was under the baton of Lin Daye.A second performance of the same programme has been scheduled for tonight at the Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...
2025-03-2901 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicWang Ruiqi on writing music for F1An associate professor teaching composition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Wang Ruiqi initiated and curated a contemporary music concert staged on the F1 race track in Shanghai during the Grand Prix on March 21, 2025.She explains why it’s important to write for F1, and how she comes up with ideas to make contemporary music more accessible.This is a Chinese/Mandarin programme with English and Chinese subtitles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kl...
2025-03-2203 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicMake Beethoven accessible to the youthFounder and impresario Wang Zhixing on presenting Beethoven for Youth Music Festival in China for the third consecutive year. He intends to make Beethoven’s music "accessible to the youth".This is a Mandarin/Chinese programme with no subtitlesInterviewed in Shanghai at the launch event on February 28, 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-03-2011 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicBorealis gets all the charm Bergen has to offerBorealis is an annual festival for experimental music in Bergen.Follow the footsteps of KLASSIKOM to get a taste of this year’s festival where live music has been presented at incredible landmarks across the entire city, in the sauna, on the sea, by the pool and under broad sunshine, a rare treat in one of Europe’s most rainy cities.The programme is in Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi...
2025-03-1906 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicPreview: Pinnacle of Piano MusicTwo pianists based in Shanghai are to present the music of Beethoven and Chopin in a recital themed Pinnacle of Piano Music on March 22nd at the Shanghai Symphony Hall.To experience the music of Beethoven and Chopin at the zenith of their artistic vision is to embark on a journey that is both humbling and transformative—a journey that reaches deep into the human psyche, awakening emotions and insights far beyond the surface of sound. In Beethoven’s monumental *Hammerklavier* Sonata, the composer’s fiery spirit defies containment. Here, the sonata form is not merely...
2025-03-1404 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicJonas Kaufmann offers generous encoresGerman tenor Jonas Kaufmann has recovered fully from an illness that led to the cancellation of his first concert in Hong Kong last month.Last night at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, he offered six encore pieces with his mentor and pianist Helmut Deutsch.This is the final concert of his month long tour to Asia. It’s his second visit to Shanghai since eight years ago. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-03-1004 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicChinese programme: Tang Zhe on BeethovenWhy Beethoven’s music has found its unique place in the musical pantheon? What’s magic about his music that has become since his time a global phenomenon like none other?Chinese pianist and educator Tang Zhe heads the music education department of the renowned Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Here he is interviewed by KLASSIKOM and talks about his study with Leonard Shure, who is an assistant to Artur Schnabel. Tang is often considered a disciple from a lineage that could be traced back to the teachings of Beethove himself.According to him, “Beethoven’s music ha...
2025-03-0306 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicRiana Anthony plays violin concerto on celloBelgium based cellist Riana Anthony chose to perform excerpts from the Butterfly Lovers violin concerto adapted for cello and piano with Jonathan Fournel, her collaborative piano, after the duo performed in Shanghai in a recital.Her impression on the classic concerto composed by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang in the late 1950s was astounding. She recalled how the duo’s first exposure to the tune ended up with addiction. She said that the melody of the violin concerto just stuck in her head and they can't get away from it.This is the final episode of...
2025-02-2805 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicCellist: In China I've had the best experience travelling with celloIn this second episode of a three-part interview taking place in Shanghai with Belgium based cellist Riana Anthony, she compares the pedagogy in higher music education from the U.S. and Europe as she has studied at both.She also introduces her alma mater in Waterloo, Belgium and recalls her nightmare and sweetspots travelling with her cello. In China she said she has had the best experience travelling with her cello.This is the second episode of the three-part backstage interview with Riana in Shanghai after her duo with pianist Jonathan Fournel. ...
2025-02-2607 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicEkep Nkwelle teases audience with Peggy Lee revisitedJazz upstart and soul diva Ekep Nkwelle made an impact as her quartet launched its China debut on Feb 19th at Jazz at Lincoln Centre Shanghai. She sang the second programme of ballads and blues on Feb 22nd.In the show she paid homage to jazz and blues greats Coltrane, Duke (her favourite composer), and nonetheless Peggy Lee. She teased the audience by dedicating “I Love Being Here With You” to Shanghai, and that got the whole floor rocking, yes indeed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with othe...
2025-02-2506 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicAmerican Chinese cellist reflects on cultural identityCellist Riana Anthony is based in Belgium. She has a Chinese mother and an American father. She was raised in Japan and studied in both the U.S. and Europe before making her debut in Hawaii.How do the Chinese, American, Hawaiian, Japanese and European backgrounds have an impact on her musical language? How does she identify herself?This is the first episode of the three-part backstage interview with Riana in Shanghai after her duo with pianist Jonathan Fournel. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...
2025-02-2405 min
KLASSIKOM=Innovations in classical musicEkep Nkwelle launched China tourJazz luminary and soul diva Ekep Nkwelle made an impact in Shanghai as her quartet launched its China debut on Feb 19th at Jazz at Lincoln Centre Shanghai. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com
2025-02-2102 min