Modern classics

As one of the largest classical music events in the country, Beijing Music Festival, founded by conductor Yu Long in 1998, kicked off on Oct 9 and runs through Sunday.

"It's always been our wish to draw a new audience, especially to encourage the younger generation to enjoy classical music. With the performances by Novus-Classica Camerata, we are fulfilling that wish," Zou adds.

Jin, along with his classmates from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, founded Novus-Classica Camerata when COVID-19 hit.

"About two years ago, I met Jin on campus one day and we talked about our studies and lives. We shared similar ideas, such as career plans. Both of us wanted to do something and the idea of launching a chamber music group came up," says 20-year-old violinist Li Bingzhang.

Born in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, Li started playing the violin at the age of 4.

After the pandemic hit, Jin and Li gathered 15 of their classmates and started to do rehearsals online. They also invited some overseas Chinese students and graduates of music schools, such as Curtis Institute of Music and Bard College Conservatory of Music, to join them.

They decided to try their best, Jin says, to bring some vitality to the music industry during the pandemic.

In December 2020, Novus-Classica Camerata was officially launched and since then, the ensemble has been active and regularly performing.