UBS: Support for high culture in Beijing Music Festival

Waves of thunderous applause split the solemn air that usually prevails at Wangfujing Catholic Church on Oct 11 when world-renowned US trumpeter Chris Botti made his Beijing debut.

The four-time Billboard chart-topping trumpet player recently won a Grammy for his 2012 album Impressions. His music presents "the softer side of luminosity, the realm of sunsets and half-moons", said a review in the New York Times.

Botti and his band entertained Chinese jazz lovers with his signature songs including When I Fall in Love, The Very Thought of You and a rendition of Puccini's Nessun Dorma.

"The Beijing Music Festival is a long-term partner of UBS. It helps the company raise its profile in the country," said David Li, chairman and country head for China of UBS AG, the Swiss banking giant headquartered in Zurich.

UBS has been the sponsor of the Beijing Music Festival for a decade, but provides more than financial support.

Each year, Beijing Music Festival and UBS invite renowned musicians and groups to perform at the month-long music gala.

They have included the King's College choir from Cambridge, Korean-born coloratura soprano Sumi-Jo and the famed flautist Sir James Galway.

The Beijing Music Festival, founded and directed by Chinese conductor Yu Long, has been devoted to disseminating Western music in China over the past two decades.

"The partnership perfectly matches UBS's commitment to the pursuit of excellence," Li said.

"Our values and culture complement those of the festival - to pursue excellence in enhancing the financial and cultural interests of both our clients and the communities in which we operate," he said.

The 10-year working relationship with the Beijing Music Festival "reflects the importance of Chinese markets to UBS as well as its long-term commitment to promoting the development of cultural events in China", Li said.

This year's event presented 22 shows catering to lovers of symphony, chamber music, choral singing and crossover.

It also staged five operas, four iconic works of which by Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner pay tribute to the two music titans on the 200th anniversary of their births.

The festival is not only a stage for talented musicians and performers, but also a valuable chance for students and music lovers to communicate face-to-face with famous masters.

Last year, more than 300 aficionados including 50 students from Beishicao Middle School, a UBS-supported green school, were invited to attend a master class by Galway.

UBS also invites leading musicians to perform for its employees in China during the music festival.

Last year, UBS employees in Beijing enjoyed a concert by rising Chinese guitarist Yang Xuefei and harmonica virtuoso Huang Wensheng.

Li believes that high-quality music inspires the company's employees.

As in its offices around the world, the walls of its Beijing office are decorated with contemporary art.

UBS, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, has a long tradition of sponsoring art around the world, Li said.

In addition to concerts and music festivals, UBS is an active supporter of the visual arts through programs including Art Basel, an international show for contemporary art, and the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative that fosters cross-cultural interaction between artists, curators and audiences through education programs and interactive activities.

UBS exhibited its art collections in 2008 and 2009 in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong.

As well, UBS's commitment to corporate social responsibility features long-term relationships with many public foundations and non-profit organizations concentrating on social welfare in China and internationally.

As an active promoter of global arts, culture and charities, UBS will continue to maintain its commitment to China, Li said.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn