Concert fostering connections between Chinese and Russian musicians

Conducted by Li Haoran, the illustrious Beijing Symphony Orchestra and esteemed musicians from the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra mesmerized audiences in a concert at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on May 5.

The concert featured four principal soloists from the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra: violinist Sergei Kostylev, cellist Fedor Zemlerub, flutist Ilya Lebedev, and trumpeter Anton Shparvart, who all contributed to the enchanting performance.

Audiences were treated to a splendid repertoire including the Polonaise from Tchaikovsky's opera Eugene Onegin, Op 24, the evocative The Snow Storm Suite by Georgy Sviridov, and Tchaikovsky's powerful Symphony No 6, Op 74.

Conductor Li expressed that this collaboration marked a significant milestone as it was the inaugural performance where the Beijing Symphony Orchestra shared the stage with musicians from the esteemed Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra.

A ceremonial event was held before the concert. During this occasion, the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra officially joined the Symphony Orchestra Alliance initiated by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra in 2016, symbolizing a deepening of their musical partnership.

Li Changjun, the president of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, highlighted the importance of fostering cultural exchange between the two orchestras. He announced plans to launch more collaborative programs to enhance communication among musicians from both orchestras, with upcoming concerts scheduled to take place in both China and Russia.

The concert not only showcased the exceptional musical prowess of both orchestras but also exemplified the power of music in transcending borders and fostering meaningful cultural connections between nations.