Highlight 1: Masters gather in the Main Concert Series, inviting friends from around the world with world-class repertoire
On October 10, the 28th Beijing Music Festival will open at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. Internationally renowned conductor Long Yu will join forces with the China Philharmonic Orchestra and "post-90s prodigy pianist" Haochen Zhang to perform Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5.
Mikhail Pletnev, an authoritative master of the Russian school, will lead the Rachmaninoff International Orchestra on its first Asian tour. Under the baton of conductor Kirill Karabits, he will perform a four-hand piano with young Chinese pianist Tianxu An, showcasing a top-tier Russian interpretation. Temple of Heaven Divine Music Administration will host the "Spring Bird Concert," featuring 13-year-old cellist Daniel Wang (winner of five international competitions) and pianist Helen Meng in a crossover collaboration that sparks a dialogue between classical and avant-garde music. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra will present an interactive concert for children, bringing the animated Musical Storyland to the stage. Using classic tales like The Tortoise and the Hare, the performance will weave together instrumental storytelling, showcasing the narrative charm of symphonic music to young audiences. Japanese "classical music influencer" pianist Hayato Sumino will perform works by Chopin and Bach, with his arrangement of Ravel's Boléro highlighting the piano's unique expressiveness.
At the closing ceremony, conductor Yang Yang will collaborate with the China Philharmonic Orchestra, violinist Gil Shaham, and mezzo-soprano Ildikó Komlósi to perform Brahms' Alto Rhapsody, bringing the festival to a perfect close.
Highlight 2: Multiple premieres debut, staging of spectacular classic operas
This year's festival will feature four heavyweight premiere works, including the concert version of Handel's opera Rinaldo and the full-stage version of Alban Berg's Wozzeck, both receiving their Chinese premieres. Among them, the globally acclaimed opera Rinaldo, celebrated for over 300 years, will make its debut on the Chinese stage, allowing audiences to experience the timeless charm of Baroque opera right at home.
Highlight 3: Commissioned works showcase ethnic minority culture; Surprise appearances by inheritors of intangible cultural heritage
The Beijing Music Festival's commissioning of new works represents forward-looking artistic practice, empowers creative ecosystems, and serves as a vehicle for cross-cultural international dialogue. The highly anticipated global premiere of the commissioned work, The Ocean Etched in the Forest, is particularly noteworthy. Composer Du Yun preserves the traditional melodic core of the Jinuo people from Yunnan while incorporating electronic soundscapes and modern arrangements. The piece will be performed by inheritors of Jinuo intangible cultural heritage and local children, revitalizing ancient music in a contemporary context.
Highlight 4: BBC Philharmonic Special Concert; City walk to explore Beijing's beauty
The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra will present the Chinese premiere of Huang Ruo's interactive work, City of Floating Sounds. The performance encourages audiences to explore Beijing on foot, extending classical music beyond the concert hall, and exploring the symbiotic relationship between the city and music.
Highlight 5: Surprise performance of Chinese Kitchen; "Music on the Tip of the Tongue" invites you to explore Beijing cuisine
This year's festival will specially present excerpts from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavors, using iconic Chinese delicacies such as "Beijing Roast Duck," "Da Hong Pao Tea," and "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (a cuisine in Fujian)" as musical inspiration. Through orchestral artistry, the piece vividly interprets the rich nuances of Chinese culinary culture. The festival will also partner with designated dining venues to offer special music festival menus and discounts, allowing audiences to experience the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures through both auditory and gustatory senses.
Translator: TANG Tao
Reviewer: ZHANG Yifan
