Beijing Symphony Orchestra sets tone for New Year celebrations

A chamber music group of Beijing Symphony Orchestra performed at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on Dec 6, featuring programs including the first movement, Spring, of the Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, and Love's Greeting by English composer Edward Elgar.

Soprano Zhang Liping, harpist Sun Shimeng and a traditional Chinese folk band led by Chinese pipa player Zhang Hongyan also took part in the one-hour show, which was broadcast live by Beijing Music Radio.

The show was a warm-up for the upcoming performances in celebration of the New Year, which will kick off on Dec 21 and will run till Jan 4, 2020 with nine concerts covering classical music, Chinese folk music, choirs and soloists.

One of the highlights will see Beijing Symphony Orchestra perform under the baton of Israeli pianist and conductor, David Greilsammer, with programs of Beethoven on Dec 28. Israeli flute virtuoso Sharon Bezaly will perform with the orchestra and harpist Sun Shimeng on Dec 29, featuring Mozart's Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra in C major.

On Jan 1, 2020, Beijing Symphony Orchestra will give a New Year concert featuring soprano He Hui.