Bringing music to gourmets

Beijing's China World Summit Wing Hotel will transform its ballroom into a concert hall with optimum acoustics to host a New Year's concert. Provided to China Daily

He was invited by his alma mater, the Central Conservatory of Music, to establish Asia's first Orchestra Academy as a graduate school for training orchestral performers in 2004. He took up the challenge because he has always felt that orchestral talents were lacking here, even though there is no lack of soloists.

In 2006, he established the EOS Repertoire Orchestra at the Central Conservatory of Music. All members are top graduates from China's music conservatories.

Hu named the orchestra EOS, which means "dawn" in Greek. It's also the name of the goddess of dawn in Greek mythology, whose children are the stars in the sky. The goddess releases her children every night to let them shine on the whole world.

According to Hu, EOS Repertoire Orchestra teaches and provides various opportunities for young musicians, who want to become stars in the classical music field.

Through performing at public events and concerts, and cooperating with artists of different fields, such as filmmakers, Peking Opera masters and rock musicians, the orchestra helps prepare young Chinese musical talents for positions in orchestras and ensembles around the world.

"Classical music in China has been developing so fast that it comes with its own set of problems. Many children learn music because of their parents want them to. They are motivated by the extra points for college entrance exams, winning awards at various competitions and the hope that their children will become the next Lang Lang," says Hu, 57, who graduated from Yale University and the Juilliard School in 1989.

"Many young Chinese give up music when they graduate from the conservatory because they cannot find good jobs as musicians. Some choose to go abroad to further their studies but still cannot find jobs, so they come back. I want to provide promising young Chinese musicians an efficient and inspiring platform, and help them adjust."

The EOS Repertoire Orchestra's concert, at China World Summit Wing at 7 pm on Jan 1, will see young musicians perform Johann Strauss II's Fledermaus Overture, Puccini's None Shall Sleep Tonight from Turandot, Tchaikovsky's Russian Dance from Swan Lake and Schubert's Ave Maria.

Under the baton of Hu, the concert will also feature cellist Zhao Xuyang and violinist Gao Can.

"It's a new experience for EOS. We need to walk into society, to be among all kinds of people," says Hu.