National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra

Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts - Concert Hall

Date: April 15, 2017

ConductorZHANG Yi, one of today's influential young conductors in China, also served as the Music Director, Chief Conductor and Deputy Director of the National Ballet of China.

As a major young conductor in China, ZHANG Yi has devoted himself in hundreds of concerts, operas and ballets. During the past two decades, he has cooperated with lots of orchestras home and abroad, including China National Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, China Traditional Instrument Orchestra, National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra, China National Opera House, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphonitta, Macao Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra, Cuba Symphony Orchestra, Kungliga Operan, Orchestra Colonne of Paris, and Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, etc.

In his performances around European, American, Australian and Asian countries, ZHANG Yi collaborated with numerous artists such as Emmanuel Pahud, Wenzel Fuchs, Renaud Capucon, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Myung Wha Chung, Sarah Chang, LANG Lang, CHEN Sa, NING Feng and QIN Liwei, etc. During his tour in Malaysia, ZHANG Yi received great acclaim in local news media, describing him as "a brilliant, incredible charming young conductor". He also won personal recognition from the King and Queen of Malaysia. In 2012 and 2013, ZHANG Yi conducted the Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra in music seasons for two consecutive years, in return for the love and expectation of Asian audiences.

Fascinated in modern music, he conducted many world premieres of Chinese and foreign works, including the world premiere of the ballet Raise the Red Lantern in May 2001, which was composed by CHEN Qigang and directed by ZHANG Yimou. In April 2012, he successfully conducted the Chinese premiere of Mass in C Minor by Mozart in with Macao Orchestra in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Macao, introducing this great masterpiece to Chinese audience. ZHANG Yi has conducted in many arts festivals and major theatres. In 2004, he led the China National Symphony Orchestra to participate in the Spring International Arts Festival in Pyongyang, North Korea; and with Cuba Symphony Orchestra, he conducted on the opening of Cuba Arts Festival in 2006; in 2005, 2007 and 2008, he worked with Lanzhou Opera House Symphony Orchestra to present concerts and the opera A Big Dream of Dunhuang in Sydney Opera House, Wiener Musikverein and Palais des Congrès de Paris; in 2008, Zhang Yi toured with the National Ballet of China in Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London; in 2009, he collaborated with Orchestra Colonne at Opera National de Paris; and in 2010, he performed with Kungliga Operan in Stockholm.

Aiming to make the Chinese music and musicians known worldwide, ZHANG Yi has released many recordings. In January 2002, he conducted for the recording of YE Xiaogang's symphony works New Music from China with Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra, which was published by Wergo (Germany). In July 2013, ZHANG Yi went to London with famous cellist Qin Liwei, where he conducted London Philharmonic Orchestra to record Britain music works for DEECA Classics.

Known for his enthusiasm and passion, ZHANG Yi has often been invited to take part in national events. In July 2007, he conducted in the performance of celebrating the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. In 2008, he conducted for the recording of most musical pieces for the opening ceremony of 2008 Olympic Games, including the theme song You and Me. In May 2012, he was given the "Award of Outstanding Contribution" at the Beijing Modern Music Festival for his numerous performances of Chinese and western modern music pieces.

PresenterThe National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1959 under the National Ballet of China, is the only professional ballet orchestra in China. ZHANG Yi is the music director and chief conductor and LIU Ju is the resident conductor. Orchestra members are mainly graduated from renowned conservatories of music in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and other places at the average age of 35 years. They have been subject to rigorous professional training with excellent music quality. It is a national symphony orchestra with most vitality and development potential in the Chinese music industry.

Jean Perrison(from France), the internationally renowned conductor has visited the orchestra and offered guidance during his stay in China; the chief conductor of Peru's National Symphony Orchestra Ashley Lawrence, chief conductor of Royal Danish Ballet and American Peter Larsen and the American Music Education Delegation soloist(singer) held concert with the orchestra separately. In addition, well-known Chinese conductors like LI Guoquan, BIAN Zushan, HU Bingxu, CHEN Zuohuang, TAN Lihua, HU Yongyan, LI Xincao are extensively acclaimed by music community at home and abroad for their ballet and symphonic music concerts.

In recent years, the orchestra is regularly invited to audio and video recording by Central station, China Central Television, China's record companies, publishers and film studios. In addition to tour performance across China including Hong Kong and Macao, it also went overseas to spread Chinese culture. It is popular at home and abroad. The orchestra has performed not only Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Raise the Red Lantern, Pirates, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Leiquan, Ji Purcell, and other fine ballet repertoire, but also has classical and romantic tracks authored by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Sibelius and other artists as well as numerous works created by Chinese and foreign contemporary composers. The orchestra also recorded a number of high-quality records.

Source:National Centre for the Performing Arts