NCPA to host Classical music concerts

As Beijing's premier venue for cassical music since its opening five years ago, the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) has made vigorous efforts to attract international conductors and world-class orchestras to its stage. In coming weeks, the theater will see three renowned conductors - Myung-Whun Chung from South Korea, Valery Gergiev from Russia and Daniel Harding from Britain - wield the baton presenting works ranging from Schubert, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.　

Chung, music director of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, will conduct the Netherlands' Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra next Saturday and Sunday, performing popular works by Weber, Schubert, Bartok, Kodaly, Mendelssohn and Brahms.

Gergiev, artistic director of Russia's Mariinsky Theater, returns to the NCPA after enthralling audiences at the venue in October in his performance with the Saint Petersburg-based ensemble. Next month, he will team up with the London Symphony Orchestra on March 1 and 2, interpreting works by revered Russian composers Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and English composer Benjamin Britten.

"I have a unique complex towards Tchaikovsky, that's why his work is essential in my tour with the orchestra," said Gergiev, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, ahead of his China tour. The orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 6."

"I hope the musicians immserse themselves in the music, allowing themselves to be touched by it, and playing with power and passion."

Harding, principal conductor of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, will be at the helm of Germany's Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra on March 9. The orchestra, which has a history dating back 63 years, will play Brahms's "Violin Concerto in D Major" and Bruckner's "Symphony No.5."

"The orchestra has a long tradition of playing Bruckner, which is why we chose 'Symphony No.5.' German violinist Christian Tetzlaff will play the concerto," Harding revealed.

A frequent visitor to China in recent years, Harding said he relishes Chinese audiences' appreciation of Classical music, and hopes the upcoming tour will be memorable for them.