Conducted by YU Long

Soloists: JIAN Wang [cello], SHEN Tiemei [Sichuan opera singer]

The Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra (GSO) was founded in 1957. After decades of artistic growth, GSO has become one of the most prestigious orchestras in China. Until now, the GSO has been the first and only Chinese symphony orchestra to have left its musical footprint in the five continents, and it has been highly acclaimed both at home and overseas. The orchestra has worked with many world famous soloists like Krzysztof Penderecki, Anne-Sophie Mutter and LANG Lang. Opera and ballet are also amongst their repertoire.

Maestro YU Long, the current music director of the GSO, is a Chinese director with an established international reputation. He has appeared as guest conductor with the most renowned orchestras and opera houses in the world. He is also the artistic director of the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the Beijing Music Festival and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

After graduating from the Shanghai Conservatoire, JIAN Wang went to the United States in 1985 where he studied with the renowned cellist Aldo Parisot at the Yale School of Music. JIAN Wang has been the guest of the most renowned orchestras and conductors of the world.

SHEN Tiemei is a renowned Sichuan opera singer. In 1988 and in 2000 she receives the Plum Blossom Award, the most prestigious award for performing arts in China.

CHEN Qigang was the last and unique student of Olivier Messiaen during 4 years. CHEN won many awards, and was the music director of the opening ceremony of the "Beijing 2008 Olympics Games".

GUO Wenjing wrote the music of about 20 Chinese feature films and 20 television productions, and he wrote several chamber operas. His oeuvre also includes concertos, symphonic poems, and instrumental and vocal chamber music.

Program GUO Wenjing “ Beauty of China”, Symphony for Sichuan Opera voice, percussion and orchestra (European première)

CHEN Qigang « Reflection of a vanished time”, Concerto for cello and orchestra

Source: www.europalia.eu

Editor: Dong Jirong