{"id":99295,"date":"2023-09-25T11:57:06","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T15:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=99295"},"modified":"2023-09-25T11:57:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T15:57:06","slug":"feature-beijing-music-festivals-25th-anniversary-celebrates-fusion-of-east-and-west","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2023\/09\/25\/feature-beijing-music-festivals-25th-anniversary-celebrates-fusion-of-east-and-west\/","title":{"rendered":"FEATURE | Beijing Music Festival&#8217;s 25th Anniversary Celebrates Fusion of East and West"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_99296\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-99296\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-99296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Copy-of-FEATURE-4.jpg\" alt=\"Beijing Music Festival Opening Night 2020, A Symphony for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus &amp; Orchestra by Wuhan composer Ye Zou (Photo courtesy of the BMF)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Copy-of-FEATURE-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Copy-of-FEATURE-4-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Copy-of-FEATURE-4-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Copy-of-FEATURE-4-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-99296\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beijing Music Festival Opening Night 2020, A Symphony for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus &amp; Orchestra by Wuhan composer Ye Zou (Photo courtesy of the BMF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em><strong>In partnership with The Beijing Music Festival<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>After a year off due to COVID, the Beijing Music Festival is looking forward to a fresh start, and the themes for 2023 are Music, Youth, Future, and Attitude. The festival will include 25 performances over 24 days from September 22 to October 15, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People&#8217;s Republic of China and the Beijing Municipal Government, the festival was initiated in 1998 by conductor Long Yu. He continues to serve as Chairman of the Artistic Committee.<\/p>\n<p>Celebrating its 25th year, after a pandemic-induced postponement, the festival remains a vital cultural touchstone.<\/p>\n<h2>A Festival Of Firsts<\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;Since its foundation by maestro Long Yu over a quarter-century ago, the festival has consistently been a cultural landmark,&#8221; says current Artistic Director Shuang Zou.<\/p>\n<p>Over its tenure, BMF has hosted luminaries like Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle, Yo-Yo Ma, and many more. Internationally renowned ensembles such as the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and Orchestre de Paris, to name a few, have graced its stages.<\/p>\n<p>Despite classical music&#8217;s relatively recent emergence in China compared to its deep-rooted history in the West, the BMF has showcased pivotal moments, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chinese premiere of Mahler&#8217;s &#8220;Symphony of a Thousand&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>Asian debut of Berg&#8217;s Lulu in 2002.<\/li>\n<li>Beijing introductions of Shostakovich&#8217;s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and The Nose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In 2010, the BMF also commissioned Canadian composer Howard Shore&#8217;s piece, &#8220;Ruin and Memory&#8221;, marking Chopin&#8217;s bicentennial. This piece debuted with a performance by Lang Lang.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, the BMF has premiered works by Krzysztof Penderecki, Philip Glass, Guo Wenjing, Ye Xiaogang, Tan Dun, and Unsuk Chin, among others.<\/p>\n<p>Each year, the Beijing Music Festival collaborates with the Education Department of the Central Conservatory of Music to present free children&#8217;s and student concerts and host ten master class cycles.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_99302\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-99302\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-99302\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-AD-Shuang-Zou.jpg\" alt=\"BMF Artistic Director Shuang Zou (Photo courtesy of the BMF)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-AD-Shuang-Zou.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-AD-Shuang-Zou-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-AD-Shuang-Zou-1024x637.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-AD-Shuang-Zou-768x477.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-99302\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">BMF Artistic Director Shuang Zou (Photo courtesy of the BMF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>The Evolution of the Beijing Music Festival<\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;I believe the festival has undergone several transformations,&#8221; says Zou. She cites its inception in 1997\/98 until the millennium as a foundational period, followed by growth until the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a continued rise in recognition thereafter.<\/p>\n<p>COVID dramatically altered its trajectory. &#8220;Our perspective shifted,&#8221; she notes.<\/p>\n<p>Joining in 2006, Zou sensed a generational shift in the city&#8217;s musical appetite. The festival began evolving, departing from traditional concert hall norms, delving into crossover genres, and introducing the Urban Series in unconventional venues. There was a concentrated effort to diversify audience demographics.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We aimed to broaden not just the music but the audience&#8217;s background,&#8221; she explains.<\/p>\n<p>Zou mentions how site-specific operas, new commissions, and a balanced blend of Chinese and Western composers contributed to an influx of fresh ideas. &#8220;Many innovative concepts were on the brink of realization,&#8221; she reflects, before the pandemic disrupted plans.<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, the festival went virtual, culminating in 240 continuous hours of online content, ranging from performances to podcasts. Their motto was poignant: Music never stops.<\/p>\n<p>Reflecting on that year, Zou remembers, &#8220;Everyone was grounded.&#8221; The virtual format was well-received.<\/p>\n<p>In 2021, the festival resumed with public performances, though international musicians were absent. However, this situation attracted many Chinese music students worldwide, who returned to participate and attend.<\/p>\n<p>Their experiences and learning are ingrained in this year&#8217;s festival, encapsulated in the slogan: Music, Youth, Future, and Attitude.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a different kind of reunion this year,&#8221; Zou muses, emphasizing a renewed, youthful spirit. The festival aims to juxtapose the vibrant underground classical scene with the grandeur of concert halls.<\/p>\n<p>One notable inclusion is jazz\/classical crossover artist Laufey. Her sold-out China debut was amplified by a strong social media influence and over 10 million Spotify streams. Yet, Zou assures that traditional classical music enthusiasts have much to anticipate.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_99301\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-99301\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-99301\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-pics-3.jpg\" alt=\"L-R (clockwise): Orfeo by Fay Kueen Wang (2018; Photo courtesy of the BMF); Angel's Bone by Dun Yun (2019; Photo courtesy of the BMF); Orphan of Zhao, conceived &amp; directed by Chen Shi-Zheng (2018; Photo courtesy of the BMF)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-pics-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-pics-3-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-pics-3-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Beijing-Music-Festival-pics-3-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-99301\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">L-R (clockwise): Orfeo by Fay Kueen Wang (2018; Photo courtesy of the BMF); Angel&#8217;s Bone by Dun Yun (2019; Photo courtesy of the BMF); Orphan of Zhao, conceived &amp; directed by Chen Shi-Zheng (2018; Photo courtesy of the BMF)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Festival Highlights<\/h2>\n<p>The festival showcases an array of talent, from the Shanghai Quartet, celebrating their 40th anniversary, to British virtuoso Stephen Hough&#8217;s solo piano recital.<\/p>\n<h3>Significant highlights include:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The opening night titled &#8220;Commemorating Liu Tianhua and the 101st Anniversary of the Founding of the Peking University Music Training Institute.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>A collaboration with Dahua City Center for the Performing Arts to present Haydn&#8217;s opera Il Mondo della Luna.<\/li>\n<li>The Monkey King by Liu Sola combines traditional Chinese elements with contemporary sounds.<\/li>\n<li>The Chinese premiere of Hao Weiya&#8217;s semi-staged opera AI&#8217;s Variation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>On the final night, conductors John Warner and Kim Yook will guide the Beijing Music Festival Orchestra in Dvo\u0159\u00e1k&#8217;s Symphony No. 9, From the New World.<\/p>\n<h3>Collaborations<\/h3>\n<p>The festival champions dialogue between China and the West. This year&#8217;s collaborations include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Violist Mei Diyang with the Berliner Barock Solisten.<\/li>\n<li>Violinist Lin Ruifeng as a special guest with the London Sinfonietta.<\/li>\n<li>Jazz artist Laufey with the China Philharmonic Orchestra.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Celebrating Mahler<\/h3>\n<p>The resident Mahler Foundation Festival Orchestra, comprising young musicians from various European nations, will engage in a dialogue with Mahler&#8217;s works under the guidance of British conductor John Warner.<\/p>\n<p>Zou highlights the synergy between Mahler&#8217;s themes and the selected young Chinese and Western composers. In the concluding segment, Mahler&#8217;s compositions will be performed in their authentic form.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, the <strong>Music in Parks<\/strong> series will host local and international chamber musicians at the Divine Music Administration of Temple of Heaven for afternoon tea concerts.<\/p>\n<p>More information on their website [<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/bmf.org.cn\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em><b>#LUDWIGVAN<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n<p class=\"western\"><em>Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em>Sign up for the Ludwig van Daily \u2014 classical music and opera in five minutes or less <a href=\"https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid=S3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid%3DS3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1695737525352000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1G4qY6XDg0trMBID9GLq6e\">HERE<\/a><\/em>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a year off due to COVID, the Beijing Music Festival is looking forward to a fresh start and the themes for 2023 are Music, Youth, Future &amp; Attitude.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":99296,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[40430,76,19,4967,32,36,38,43,13024],"tags":[40781,40783,40784,40782],"yst_prominent_words":[7412,6616,7410,12857],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Copy-of-FEATURE-4.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-pPx","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99295"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99295"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99303,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99295\/revisions\/99303"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99295"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}