Maestro orchestrates a ripple effect
Symphony's newly appointed artistic adviser to add lesser-known masterpieces to its repertoire, celebrating exchanges and delighting fans, Chen Nan reports.
The orchestra will present a comprehensive exploration of Shostakovich's creative world, including performances of his Piano Concerto No 1 in C Minor, Op 35, and the monumental Symphony No 11 in G Minor (also known as The Year 1905), Op 103.
This latter work holds special historical resonance for the orchestra. In 1958, the State Symphony Orchestra of the former Soviet Union toured China and debuted Symphony No 11 during the visit. The score was gifted to conductor Li Delun, who studied at the Moscow Conservatory and later led the Central Philharmonic Society, the predecessor of the China National Symphony Orchestra, in its China premiere on July 27, 1958.
Nearly seven decades later, this powerful symphony will return to the stage in a commemorative performance led by renowned conductor David Afkham and featuring the China National Symphony Orchestra and its chorus as a tribute to Li's pioneering spirit and a testament to the orchestra's enduring artistic legacy.
The 2025-26 season also commemorates the 170th anniversary of Robert Schumann's death with a series of performances, including two symphonic concerts and two chamber music programs, showcasing the profound lyricism and emotional depth of his music.
Alongside staples of the symphonic canon, including works by Richard Strauss, Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, and Mahler, the season will highlight gems rarely performed in China, such as Karol Szymanowski's Violin Concerto and Kevin Puts' Orchestral Concerto, bridging classic German-Austrian traditions with modern voices and diverse styles.
The new season will also spotlight over 10 Chinese works, from celebrated revivals to world premieres.
"These pieces reflect the richness and vitality of Chinese symphonic creativity, from folk-inspired themes to profound philosophical expressions," says Shui. "They reveal both our cultural heritage and our contemporary imagination."
Among the season's major premieres are Tang Jianping's The Forbidden City Symphonic Picture and Symphony No 3, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Palace Museum in Beijing; Zhang Qianyi's Qikou Symphonic Picture, inspired by the historic town of Qikou in Shanxi province; and Zhou Long's Grand Harmony, which was composed to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.
