China National Symphony Orchestra reveals programs in 2023

China National Symphony Orchestra announced its program list for the 2023 season on Dec 27 in Beijing.

Chinese conductors, including Chen Xieyang, Lin Daye and Tan Lihua, will perform with the orchestra in the new season. German conductor Christian Ehwald will take the baton and perform with the orchestra with a concert marking the 190th anniversary of German composer Johannes Brahms.

Musicians, such as violinist Lyu Siqing, pianist Chen Sa and suona player Liu Wenwen, will also be featured in the new season.

According to Li Xincao, guest principal conductor of China National Symphony Orchestra, concerts will be held to mark great Western composers, such as Brahms, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Aram Khachaturian. Two former presidents of China National Symphony Orchestra, Li Ling and Yan Liangkun, will also be commemorated with concerts to mark their 110th anniversary and 100th anniversary.

The China National Symphony Orchestra was established in 1956 and was created from the former Central Orchestra. It has a long history of performing classic Chinese music pieces, especially patriotic music works born during wartime, such as Yellow River Cantata by composer Xian Xinghai. Audience can also enjoy these classic Chinese music works in the new season.

During the new season, the orchestra will also bring a concert version of the opera Don Pasquale by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, marking the opera's 180th anniversary of its premiere.

Eleven chamber music concerts will also be presented by the orchestra.