Tan Dun [Photo/NCPA]

Renowned composer Tan Dun will step onto the podium and conduct the silk-road-themed eighth anniversary concert at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on Saturday, Dec 12.

This will mark Tan's first collaboration with the NCPA Orchestra as a conductor.

The first half will feature Czech composer Bedřich Smetana's "The Moldau," young Chinese composer Wu Chenghao's "Southern Music: Silk Road on Water," Japanese composer Toru Takemitu's "I Hear the Water Dreaming" and British composer Benjamin Britten's "Four Sea Interludes" from "Peter Grimes," which are all inspired by water.

In the second half, Tan will conduct the orchestra in performing "Four Secret Roads of Marco Polo," which is based on Marco Polo's journey to the East.

Since its launching in 2007, the NCPA's anniversary is celebrated every December with a special concert featuring a top conductor conducting the NCPA Orchestra.