THEME

INTEGRATION & DEVELOPMENT

The Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music is now initiated in Beijing, China in 2019.

Created in this new era featuring cultural prosperity in China and cultural diversity in the world, the Forum, in line with the principles of being international, open and forward-looking, aims to build a high-level international platform for exchanges in the field of symphonic music. By identifying the developing trends and discussing hot issues of symphonic music, it will draw more attention and support to the development of symphonic music from all sectors of society and promote cross-region and cross-industry integration in order to contribute to exchanges and development in the global performing arts industry.

Themed “Integration & Development”, Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music 2019 will be held from November 26th to 28th.

Click for Forum Video

INSTITUTIONS

International Institutions & Speakers

Other Institutions & Speakers

PARTICIPANTS LIST
Opera Australia Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Wiener Symphoniker National Arts Centre Orchestra
medici.tv Orchestre National de France Radio France and its ensembles Classical:NEXT
NDR Radiophilharmonie The Munich Philharmonic The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Association of the Japanese Symphony Orchestras
The Marrinsky Orchestra Singapore Symphony Orchestra Seoul Philhormonic Orchestra Seoul Art Center
Lucerne Festival Royal Philhormonic Orchestra Chicago Symphony Orchestra National Symphony Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra The National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Chiors of Venezuela China National Symphony Orchestra China National Opera House Symphony Orchestra
National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe China Philharmonic Orchestra
Beijing Symphony Orchestra Beijing Wind Orchestra Tianjin Song & Dance Theatre Tianjin Symphony Orchestra
Hebei Symphony Orchestra Qingdao Symphony Orchestra Heilongjiang Song & Dance Theatre Symphony Orchestra Harbin Symphony Orchestra
Jilin Symphony Orchestra The Orchestra of Changchun Film Studio Shenyang Symphony Orchestra Baotou Symphony Orchestra
Shanxi Symphony Orchestra Xi'an Symphony Orchestra Symphony Orchestra of Ningxia Performing Arts Group Lanzhou Symphony Orchestra
Tibet Philharmonic Orchestra Suzhou Symphony Orchestra Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra Ningbo Symphony Orchestra
Anhui Orchestra Jiangxi Song & Dance Theatre Symphony Orchestra Wuhan Philharmonic Orchestra Changsha Symphony Orchestra
Chongqing Symphony Orchestra Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra Sichuan Symphony Orchestra Liangshan Symphony Orchestra
Guiyang Symphony Orchestra Fujian Opera and Dance-Drama Company Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra
Guangxi Song & Dance Theatre Symphony Orchestra Kunming Nie Er Symphony Orchestra Taipei Symphony Orchestra Beijing Concert Hall
Forbidden City Concert Hall Tianjin Grand Theatre Xinghai Concert Hall Shenzhen Concert Hall
Harbin Concert Hall Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts Shaanxi Opera House Qintai Concert Hall
Central Conservatory of Music China Conservatory of Music The Tianjin Juilliard School Chinese Musicians'Association
China Symphony Development Foundation China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. Beijing Artists Management Corp., Ltd. Beijing Performance & Arts Group Co., Ltd.
Armstrong Music & Arts Intermusica Artists' Management Kajimoto Major Performing Arts Group
Wu Promotion Naxos China Tencent Arts Universal Music Group
CHEN Zuohuang CHANG Ping CHEN Li CHEN Qigang
DU Mingxin HAO Weiya LEI Lei Siqing Lu
QIAN Shijin TAN Lihua TANG Jianping YIN Qing

Opera Australia is a performing arts company with a mission to perform some of the greatest music ever written to as many people as possible. We perform operas, musicals and concerts in our home venues the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne. But we also perform on basketball courts, community halls, outdoor stages, on the beach in Queensland, on Sydney Harbour and in schools all over NSW and Victoria. You can even watch our most popular operas in cinemas all over the world. As one of the world's busiest opera companies, we present more than 600 performances every year. More than half a million people see our work live on stage annually, and many more can tune into radio broadcasts. We're the biggest employer in the Australian arts industry, employing a huge range of people across the full range of artists and artisans. Through innovative projects including the now iconic Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, thousands of newcomers are experiencing opera for the first time. We start them on a journey that will last a lifetime. Opera Australia regularly works with some of the world's most prestigious houses to create co-productions of powerful, often lesser-known operas. We work with some of the world's greatest performers including Australia's own stars. We're also committed to developing and nurturing new Australian talent, so you can watch the stars of the future flourish over the years.

Rory Jeffes became CEO of Opera Australia in August 2017. Prior to this he was Executive Chairman of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for eight years, during which time he led the development of the presence and profile for the orchestra in China as a leading cultural ambassador for Australia.

Born in Canada, Mr. Jeffes has enjoyed an extensive career in the profit and not-for-profit sectors in England and Australia. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Oxford University where he read Music and was awarded an Academical Clerkship (Choral Scholarship). His early career was in public relations becoming a Director of Shandwick Communications in London, at the time part of the largest worldwide communications group in the world.

Mr. Jeffes has also held senior management roles at leading not-for-profit organisations including Outward Bound Trust UK & Australia as well as the Prince's Youth Business Trust - a charity presided over by HRH The Prince of Wales. He has also sat on several advisory groups to Government in the UK, including the New Labour Social Exclusion Unit. He was the Founding CEO of the world's first “virtual” charity, YouthNet UK, an innovative web-based information resource for young people.

In the course of the past 177 years, Wiener Philharmoniker has experienced and influenced the course of musical history around the world. Even to this day, prominent soloists and conductors refer to the unique “Viennese Sound” as the outstanding quality that sets it apart from other orchestras.

The orchestra performs approximately 40 concerts in Vienna annually, and also has annual summer residency at Salzburg Festival and performs more than 50 concerts a year on its international tours. All of these activities underscore the reputation of the Vienna Philharmonic as one of the world's finest orchestras.

The orchestra has been the recipient of numerous prizes and awards. Since 2008, it has been supported by its exclusive sponsor ROLEX.

Ferdinand von Strantz is General Adviser to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra since 2007 and CEO of the Orchestra's Marketing Partner, Highlight Event AG.

In his role he is focused on the continuous development of the Orchestra's brand and image, the negotiation and delivery of marketing arrangements as well as the global exploitation of media rights for the Orchestra's annual TV, radio and streaming highlights: the New Year's Concert from the Musikverein in Vienna and the Summer Night Concert from the Castle Gardens in Schönbrunn.

Ferdinand von Strantz is a commercial lawyer and holds a business consultancy diploma. He studied at the University of Munich (Germany) and at the St. Gallen Business School (Switzerland).

As Vienna's cultural ambassador and premier concert orchestra, the Wiener Symphoniker handles the lion's share of symphonic activity that makes up the musical life of the city. The preservation of the traditional, Viennese orchestral sound occupies a central role in the orchestra's many artistic pursuits. The Wiener Symphoniker is one of Europe's most prestigious ensembles and boasts 128 members. For this reason, the orchestra is precisely the right vehicle for the great Romantic works of Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler and Richard Strauss that constitute its core repertoire. The Vienna Musikverein and nearby Konzerthaus are the principal performing venues of the Wiener Symphoniker. The orchestra has also been in residence at the Bregenzer Festspiele since 1946 and continues to maintain close ties to the festival. Beginning in 2006, the orchestra added another feather to its cap: The Wiener Symphoniker now serves as resident opera orchestra for a whole host of stylistically diverse productions taking place at the Theater an der Wien. Periodic international tours to the most important music centers round out the extensive portfolio of this traditional, Viennese orchestra

Jan Nast was born in 1965 in East Berlin. After studying music at the Musikhochschule Hanns Eisler in Berlin and various engagements in various orchestras, the trained hornist pursued a cultural management degree at the Ludwigsburg University of Education until 1995. From 1990 to 1997 Nast was the orchestra director of the Philharmonic Orchestra and Theater Freiburg. In 1997 he moved to the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden in the same role where he worked together with the chief conductors Bernard Haitink, Fabio Luisi and most recently Christian Thielemann.

In addition, Nast increased significantly the international traveling of the orchestra, led the Staatskapelle to become the Residenz-Orchester of the Salzburger Osterfestspiele and developed among others new concert formats including as "Classic Picnic" and "On tour without tails".

Since September 2019 he is Intendant of the Wiener Symphoniker.

The NAC Orchestra is a world-class ensemble of outstanding classical musiciansfrom across Canada and around the world, under the inspiring leadership of MusicDirector Alexander Shelley. Since its debut in 1969 at the opening of Canada'sNational Arts Centre, the Orchestra has been praised for the passion and clarity ofits performances, its ground-breaking educational programs, and its leadership innurturing Canadian creativity.

Alexander Shelley began his tenure as Music Director in 2015, following PinchasZukerman's 16 seasons at the helm. In addition to a full series of subscriptionconcerts at the National Arts Centre each season featuring world class artistsincluding James Ehnes, Evelyn Glennie, Joshua Bell, Xian Zhang, Stewart Goodyear,Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Jan Lisiecki and Principal Guest Conductor John Storgårds,the Orchestra regularly tours throughout Canada and around the world. TheOrchestra has made over 40 commercial recordings, including Angela Hewitt'sJUNO© Award-winning album of Mozart Piano Concertos.

The Orchestra is the resident ensemble of Canada's National Arts Centre, based inOttawa, the only bilingual, multi-disciplinary performing arts centre in Canada, andone of the largest in the world.

Arna Einarsdottir became the Executive Chairman of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra in May 2019. The Orchestra is a world-class ensemble of outstanding classical musicians that give around 100 performances a year, under the inspiring leadership of the Music Director Alexander Shelley. In May 2019 the Orchestra embarked on a successful seven-city European tour, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Einarsdottir was for 12 years at the forefront of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. During her time as manager the orchestra saw a financial turnaround with an increase in audience and a raised international profile. In 2014 Arna signed Osmo Vänskä as Principal Guest and Honourary Conductor and in 2015 the renowned conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier as Chief Conductor. In November 2018, she lead the Orchestra on a tour of Japan with Vladimir Ashkenazy, ISO's Laureate Conductor and Nobuyuki Tsujii as the soloist, giving 12 sold out concerts.

Before moving into management, Arna was a flutist with the ISO. She holds a master's degree in Cultural Management and a diploma in Negotiation and Mediation from Bifröst University in Iceland; a Postgraduate Diploma from Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England; and a Professional Performance degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

As formation of Radio France, the Orchestre National de France is the firstpermanent symphonic orchestra created in France. Founded in 1934, it wasborn by the desire to forge a tool in the service of the symphonic repertoire. Thisambition, added by the broadcast of concerts on radio waves, has made theNational Orchestra a prestigious reputation. From Désiré Émile Inghelbrecht, whoinaugurated the tradition of the orchestra, to Emmanuel Krivine, musical directorsince September 2017, the greatest chefs including Manuel Rosenthal, AndréCluytens, Roger Désormière, Charles Munch, Maurice Le Roux, Jean Martinon,Sergiu Celibidache, Lorin Maazel, Jeffrey Tate, Charles Dutoit, Kurt Masur andDaniele Gatti succeeded each other as music director of the orchestra, which alsoinvited the most prestigious soloists.

Johannes Neubert was born in Jena, Germany and studied music (flute) at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig and the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" Berlin from 1987 to 1992.

After graduating and briefly working as a flutist in the Berlin Symphony Orchestra (now Konzerthausorchester Berlin), he began his master's degree in musicology, political science and history at the Humboldt University Berlin in 1992, before he moved on to the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, where he graduated in Cultural Management in 1995. In addition, he received a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Administration from City University London in 1996.

His first position as a trainee in the marketing department of the English National Opera London (1996) was followed by the marketing manager of the Jeunesse Musicale in Vienna (until 1999). From 1999 to 2002 he was assistant to the Executive Chairman of the Vienna Konzerthaus.From 2002 to 2010 Neubert was Executive Chairman of the Tonkünstler-OrchesterNiederösterreich and from 2005 to 2010 also Executive Chairman of the Grafenegg Festival, which he co-founded. From 2011 to 2019 he was Intendant of the Wiener Symhoniker. In September 2019 Johannes Neubert started his current position as Executive Chairman (DéléguéGénéral) of the Orchestre National de France.

Radio France is France's leading radio broadcasting group, embracing seven national radio stations and the 44 local stations which comprise the France Bleu network.

A prominent force in the arts, Radio France runs four permanent musical ensembles and brings music of the past and the present to the largest possible audience, presenting 220 concerts and 500 educational workshops each year. The Orchestre National de France, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Chœur de Radio France and Maîtrise de Radio France constitute a line-up that is unique in France and rare in Europe. The majority of their concerts are given in the new Auditorium de la Maison de la Radio in Paris, but Radio France's ensembles also travel to the world's most prestigious venues and festivals. In addition to radio broadcasts of the concert season at the Auditorium, performances are made available on a digital video platform, a "virtual concert hall" launched in December 2017.

Radio France is developing close links with China, thanks to its ensembles' regular visits to the country, but also to the efforts of the Chinese Friends of the Fondation Musique et Radio, a philanthropic initiative run by the Institut de France.

Michel Orier was founder-director of the Amiens Jazz Festival and of jazz recording label Label Blue before taking charge of Amiens' Maison de la culture, one of France's leading arts centres, where he led the project to renovate the 1960s building.

He headed the national cultural commission's review of policy on jazz and improvised music and also led SYNDEAC, France's national syndicate of artistic and cultural companies.

In 2000, at the time Lionel Jospin was France's Prime Minister, he became a special adviser on the performing arts to the Ministry of Culture.

Subsequently he took charge of the Maison de la culture in Grenoble, which now holds the status of being France's leading performing space.

In 2012 he became director of creative arts at the Ministry of Culture and subsequently general inspector of cultural affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

Since 2016 he has been director of music and production at Radio France.

Classical:NEXT is the annual, global gathering for all art music professionals. It's aA unique platform for networking across all sectors, for exploring new artistic ideas and for developing pioneering solutions – for the love, and the future, of classical music. The mission of Classical:NEXT is to unite all professionals who identify with classical and art music, providing them with a place to meet and connect, do business, brainstorm, create and be inspired. It aims to help the global scene optimise what this art form is and can be, as well as how it is presented, disseminated and received. The production company behind Classical:NEXT, Piranha Arts, sits firmly in the middle of the Berlin cultural and free arts scene after three decades of actively working both locally and globally as organisers, presenters, curators, developers and multipliers.

Aliena Haig completed her degree in music at Newcastle University, specialising in conducting and composition. After graduation, she set up her own radio station in the Alps before moving to the desert to work as a producer for Al Jazeera English in Doha. After several years of working in radio and television, she worked at the front line of the refugee crisis on the Greek island of Chios, where she went on to set up a creative centre that offered a safe space for refugees to express themselves creatively, artistically and musically. She then applied her experience by pursuing a master's degree in international events and cultural diplomacy, focusing on music diplomacy before ultimately joining Piranha Arts, where she is now the PR and communications manager for Classical:NEXT. She was born in Singapore and Germany marks her twelfth country of residence to date.

Diversity and quality are the trademarks of the NDR Radiophilharmonie from Hanover. 86 highly skilled musicians represent an impressive variety in their programme: in addition to the great classical and romantic repertoire, they also cultivate early music. Crossover projects, movie soundtracks and a wide range of different concerts for children and youth reach a large audience.

Particularly the close cooperation with principal conductor Andrew Manze, who has held this position since the 2014/15 season, represents a decisive step on the artistically ambitious path of the NDR Radiophilharmonie.

Matthias Ilkenhans was born in Frankfurt am Main in 1968 and grew up in Bad Homburg. He initially studied Orchestral Music, majoring in Violin, in Stuttgart, Saarbrücken and Munich, followed by a degree in Cultural Management at the University of Hagen. From 1994 to 2000 he was a member of the ensemble of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie (Young German Philharmonic Orchestra) in Frankfurt, first as a violinist and later as project manager. After a year as Project Manager with the Munich Chamber Orchestra he returned to the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie as General Manager in 2001.

Since the 2004/2005 concert season Matthias Ilkenhans has been General Manager of the NDR Radiophilharmonie.

The Munich Philharmonic was founded in 1893, and since then, under the direction of renowned conductors, it has vastly enriched Munich's musical life. As of the 2015-16 season, the position of chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic is held by Valery Gergiev. Tours have taken the Munich Philharmonic to numerous European cities as well as countries and regions like Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and the USA. Programme highlights conceived by Valery Gergiev include performances of symphonic cycles by Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov and most recently Bruckner as well as new formats, such as the "MPHIL 360°" festival. In September 2016, the first CD recordings were released under the orchestra's own label, MPHIL. The Munich Philharmonic and Valery Gergiev have just completed the recording of Anton Bruckner's symphonies in the church of St. Florian abbey. By the 2020/21 season, all of Anton Bruckner's symphonies will gradually be released. With "Spielfeld Klassik", the Munich Philharmonic has developed a comprehensive music education programme. Under the motto of "MPhil on Site", the Munich Philharmonic also leaves its home base to appear in unusual and varied locations, such as the Hofbräuhaus tavern as well as alpine meadows, clubs and industrial halls. In October 2018 the Munich Philharmonic and Valery Gergiev celebrated their 125th anniversary.

Paul Müller studied music education at the State Music Academy in Detmold and later on culture management at the Academy of Music and Theatre in Hamburg. After various concert activities as solo cellist and in chamber music ensembles he carried on his career in the field of culture management as Artistic Director and later on General Manager of the State Orchestra of Frankfurt on the Oder. During this time he also worked closely together with Ernest Fleischmann, Executive Chairman and Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1995 he took on a teaching position in culture management at the Europa University Viadrina in Frankfurt on the Oder. Between 1997 and 2002 Paul Müller was the Manager of the NDR Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg from where he carried on as General Manager of the Bamberg Symphony. As of 2008 he has been the Executive Director of the Munich Philharmonic working closely together with their honourary conductor Zubin Mehta as well as chief conductors Lorin Maazel, Christian Thielemann and Valery Gergiev who has been holding the position as chief conductor since 2015.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1936 by Bronislaw Huberman and its inaugural concert, on 26 December 1936, was conducted by Arturo Toscanini. The IPO plays in subscription series in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, in special concerts and in various concert series throughout Israel. The IPO regularly tours the world's cultural centers and prestigious festivals. Israel's creative artists are promoted by many IPO premieres of works by Israeli composers. The orchestra has hosted the world's greatest conductors and soloists, as well as young talents from Israel and abroad. In 1969 Maestro Zubin Mehta was appointed Music Advisor to the IPO and in 1977 he became its Music Director. Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was named IPO Laureate Conductor in 1988. In the 2020/2021 season, Lahav Shani will become the new Music Director.

Abraham Avi Shoshani was born in Israel in 1948 and grew up there.

After completing his army service, Shoshani enrolled at the Tel Aviv University where his studies included literature, art, theatre and pedagogy. He graduated with a Master's Degree in 1973.

In that year, Shoshani joined the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and, in 1980, was appointed General Manager.

In 1994, together with Martin Engstroem, Shoshani founded the Verbier Festival and has since been associated with the Festival in various capacities.

Recently, Shoshani, together with Martin Engstroem were appointed to create a cultural center in Georgia that will concentrate in Classical Music as well as in education. The goal is to create a pan-Caucasian orchestra that will bring together young musicians from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey etc.

Shoshani is married to Suzi, a professional psychologist. He is father to Noa, Roi and Dafna and grandfather to Guy and Michal, Ari.

The history of Japanese orchestras goes back to the Meiji period (1868-1912) when the nation started to absorb the western culture and has been inherited by passionate and hardworking followers. Thanks to them, we now have 37 professional orchestras that give about 4,000 performances annually.

After World War II, as the society tried to regain its composure, professional orchestras were born one after another throughout Japan. In 1964, “Tokyo Orchestra Club” was formed to share ideas on various issues related to orchestral administration. In July 1990, “Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras” started with officials from 18 orchestras as Directors.

The Association conducted researches and studies on professional orchestra administration, offered education programs for those associated with orchestral music and opportunities for international exchange, and arranged other highly universal programs. In November 1997, the Association hosted “Orchestra Summit in Japan”, the first-ever international conference for orchestra administrators in Asia. It further arranged seminars on arts management and a series of workshops searching for new music education possibilities. The Association was assigned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs to produce “Asia Orchestra Week”, inviting orchestras from the Asia-Pacific region since 2002.

The association articulates the importance of classical music in modern society and actively continues to work for its development and expansion.

Hideki Nishihama was born in 1971 and graduated from the School of Sociology of Kwansei Gakuin University. In 1995, he joined the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra at a speech at the symposium calling for the orchestra to survive. From 2003 to 2011, serving as the chairman and secretary general, he established the orchestra and achieved profitability. After laying the foundation for the orchestra's future development by constructing a support system and inviting the world-famous musician Augustin Dumay, he engaged in education since August 2011. In May 2015, he became the executive director and secretary general of the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra. Since June 2018, he has served as the executive chairman of the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras. In 2019, he was appointed as the “Yamagata Special Sightseeing Ambassador for Tsuyahime Rice” to publicize to the world the charm of Yamagata Prefecture.

The Mariinsky Orchestra is one of the oldest musical ensembles in Russia. It can trace its history back to the early 18th century and the development of the Court Instrumental Chapel. The excellence of the orchestra was recognized on numerous occasions by the world-class musicians who conducted it, among them Berlioz, Wagner, von Bülow, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Nikisch and Rachmaninoff. Since 1988, the orchestra has been directed by Valery Gergiev, a musician of the highest order and an outstanding figure in the music world. Maestro Gergiev's arrival at the helm ushered in a new era of rapid expansion of the orchestra's repertoire.

Valery Gergiev is a vivid representative of the St. Petersburg conducting schooland a former pupil of the legendary Professor Ilya Musin. While still a student atthe Leningrad Conservatoire, Gergiev won the Herbert von Karajan Competitionin Berlin and the All-Union Conducting Competition in Moscow, following whichhe was invited to join the Kirov Theatre (now the Mariinsky) as an assistant to theprincipal conductor.

Valery Gergiev's international activities are no less intensive and active. He is thefounder and director of prestigious international festivals. His musical and publicactivities have brought him three State Prizes of the Russian Federation, the titles ofPeople's Artist of the Russian Federation and Hero of Labour, and prestigious Stateawards of Armenia, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, France andJapan.

Founded in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is Singapore's flagship orchestra. With a mission to create memorable shared experiences with music, the SSO performs 100 concerts a year, comprising its subscription series concerts and outdoor and community appearances. Singaporean and Asian musicians and composers are regularly showcased in the concert season – a core part of the SSO's programming philosophy since Choo Hoey, SSO's founding Music Director (1979-1996). Under the leadership of Music Director SHUI Lan (1997-2019), the SSO has performed in Europe, Asia and the United States, which included its 2014 debut at the 120th BBC Proms in London. The SSO has also performed in China on multiple occasions. SSO records under BIS, with notable works such as a Rachmaninoff series, three Debussy discs, and the first-ever cycle of Tcherepnin's piano concertos and symphonies. The SSO is part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also manages the Singapore Symphony Choruses, and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. In July 2019, the SSO named Austrian conductor Hans Graf as its Chief Conductor, beginning in the 2020/21 concert season.

Chng Hak-Peng is the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Symphony Group (SSG). Hak-Peng's involvement with the Orchestra began 10 years ago as a volunteer, contributing to a number of key strategic projects for SSG's management and musicians. This led to his being appointed Deputy Chairman of its board, where he focused on strategic and organizational reviews, highlights of which included leading a team that integrated the Singapore National Youth Orchestra into the company. He enjoyed playing in school orchestras and wind bands as well as singing in choirs. His affinity for music of any genre is only matched by his love for Chinese history.

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) became an independent organization in 2005. Under the leadership of the Music Director Maestro Myung-Whun Chung, the orchestra has widen the repertoire and has been taken to the next level.

With Thierry Fischer, Principal Guest Conductor, Markus Stenz, Conductor-in-Residence, and world-renowned guest conductors and soloists, the SPO continues to take the initiative in shaping the Korean classical music scene with artistic achievement and innovative programming. Also the SPO runs various outreach programs and educational programs for all ages, sharing music with citizens of Seoul and beyond.

World-renowned Finnish conductor, Osmo Vänskä will be the next music director from 2020.

Eun-Kyung KANG was appointed CEO & President of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in March 2018 and spearheaded the appointment of Music Director Osmo Vänskä. Recognizing the social as well as artistic imperatives of the orchestra, KANG ushered in an era of increased community engagement through such programs as “Music for All Ages” promoting social change through music education, while redoubling the orchestra's commitment to artistic excellence and international collaboration.

As former Professor of arts management at the Korea National University of Arts, she has been very active in sharing her expertise with government agencies and recognized educational institutions in Korea. She is the first professor in Korea ever to offer a course in Performing Arts, International Relations and Law and is recognized for her expertise and her leadership in establishing the field.

After trained as a violinist at an arts school in Seoul, KANG studied Law at Seoul National University (LL.B.), Arts Administration at Korea National University of Arts (M.A.), Intellectual Property Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (LL.M.). She wrote her doctoral dissertation at Seoul National University School of Law (J.S.D.) on the Correlation of the State and Culture, focusing on the Neutrality in State Funding of the Arts.

Founded in 1938, Lucerne Festival is one of the leading international festivals in the realm of classical music. Each year the most acclaimed symphony orchestras come to Lucerne to perform, including such ensembles as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam.Along with cultivating the traditional repertoire, contemporary music plays an essential role at Lucerne Festival in terms of programming and education.

The Summer Festival presents some 100 concerts from mid-August until mid-September. The offerings encompass a diverse range of concert formats: symphony concerts, chamber music, recitals, the Debut and Late Nights series, and much more. “Composers-in-residence,” “artistes étoiles,” and such innovative concert formats as the 40min and Young Performance series are a significant aspect of the programming.

Michael Haefliger has been involved with major European festivals throughout his career, initially as an active performing artist and, since 1999, as the Executive and Artistic Director of Lucerne Festival. He serves as a board member on international organizations; he was named “Global Leader for Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum in Davos, and also received the European Cultural Innovation Award, the Tourism Award from the Lucerne Tourism Forum, the Cultural Award of Central Switzerland and the Badge of Honor of the City of Lucerne and the Swiss Society of New York Award.

Currently Haefliger is a board member of the Avenir Suisse Foundation, the Davos Festival Foundation, the UBS Cultural Foundation, and the Pierre Boulez Foundation. He serves as Chairman of the Jury for the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award. Michael Haefliger is an alumnus of the Juilliard School of Music, St. Gallen University, and the Harvard Business School.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's (RPO) mission is to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence and inclusive in their appeal. Under the baton of its new Music Director Vasily Petrenko, the RPO gives concerts in London, across the UK and across the world, and in 2018 was named by a leading classical music website as the world's most in-demand orchestra. The RPO is proud of its diversity of performance and community programmes and seeks to widen access to orchestral music to all sections of our society.

We look forward to sharing with delegates at the Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music 2019 best practice from the RPO's programmes whilst equally learning from and being inspired by colleagues with other orchestras from China and across the world. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra wishes Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music 2019 much success.

James Williams has been Executive Chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) since 2016. Notable achievements include the appointment of Vasily Petrenko as the RPO's next Music Director (starting 2021), a new partnership between the RPO and Google Arts and Culture, and overseeing an international touring schedule that has involved the RPO performing across the world, including major tours of Asia, Europe and the USA. In 2018, the RPO was named by a leading classical music website as the world's busiest orchestra and in 2018/19 Season played to a live audience of over 500,000.

Prior to this, James worked for eight years at the Philharmonia Orchestra (London) responsible for the Orchestra's UK concert and commercial programmes working with conductors including Esa-Pekka Salonen, Lorin Maazel and Valdimir Ashkenazy. Additionally, James led several major audience development and digital programmes including iOrchestra, a virtual orchestra project which introduced orchestral music to over 200,000 people in the South West of England. Other roles have included five years working at the Royal Northern College of Music as Programming Manager and a period running a regional branch of Yehudi Menuhin inspiring music education programme Live Music Now!

Founded in 1891, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is consistently hailed as one of the greatest orchestras in the world. Its Music Director since 2010 is Riccardo Muti, one of the preeminent conductors of our day. The musicians of the CSO command a vast repertoire and annually perform more than 150 concerts, most at Symphony Center in Chicago, and, since 1936, at the Ravinia Festival in summer. Since its first tour to Canada in 1892, the Orchestra has performed in 29 countries on five continents during 61 international tours.

Since 1916, recording has been significant in establishing the Orchestra's international reputation, with recordings by the CSO earning a total of 62 Grammy awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Its independent label, CSO Resound, was launched in 2007. The 2010 release of Verdi's Messa da Requiem, with the CSO and Chicago Symphony Chorus conducted by Muti, was recognized with two Grammy awards. Listeners around the world can hear the CSO in weekly airings of the CSO Radio Broadcast Series, which is syndicated on the WFMT Radio Network and online at CSO.org/Radio.

Jonathan McCormick is Director of Education and The Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He oversees the Orchestra's extensive education and community engagement programming that serves over 200,000 people annually across Chicago and around the world by educating audiences and training young musicians. As the primary staff collaborator for Yo-Yo Ma's creative consultancy with the CSO, Jonathan played a central role in building a new curriculum and culture for the Civic Orchestra (the training orchestra of the CSO for young professionals) including the establishment of a new fellowship program and expanded work in diverse communities, especially in Chicago Public Schools as well as neighborhoods ravaged by gun violence through the Notes for Peace project.  

Jonathan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Tuba Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory. For several years he was a member of YOA Orchestra of the Americas and performed extensively throughout North, Central and South America and Europe. 

The 2019–2020 season marks the National Symphony Orchestra's 89th, and Gianandrea Noseda's third as its music director. The Italian conductor serves as the Orchestra's seventh music director, joining the NSO's legacy of distinguished leaders. Its artistic leadership also includes Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and Artistic Advisor Ben Folds.

Founded in 1931, the Orchestra has always been committed to artistic excellence and music education. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs year-round. The NSO's community engagement projects are nationally recognized, including NSO In Your Neighborhood, an annual week of approximately 50 performances in schools, churches, community centers, and other unexpected venues; Notes of Honor, which offers free performances for active, veteran, prior service, and retired members of the military and their families; and Sound Health, a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its affiliated organizations. Career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its tuition-free Summer Music Institute.

Gary Ginstling has an over fifteen year career of working for a number of American orchestras, and has a strong track record of increasing ticket sales and fundraising, developing innovative programming and building community ties. Mr. Ginstling joined the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) as its executive director in August 2017. Shortly after Mr. Ginstling's arrival, the NSO launched the tenure of music director Gianandrea Noseda, who has ushered in a new era of enthusiasm and energetic performances. During his first eighteen months at the NSO, Mr. Ginstling has succeeded in extending Noseda's contract through 2025, and raising over $10 million to support his work with the orchestra.

Prior to joining the NSO, Mr. Ginstling served for five years as CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO). Under Mr. Ginstling's leadership, the ISO's income from ticket sales grew over 80%, and contributed income grew by 45%. He also served as general manager of The Cleveland Orchestra, director of communications and external affairs of the San Francisco Symphony, and executive director of the Berkeley Symphony in California.

Mr. Ginstling holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, and an MBA from The Anderson School at UCLA. He currently serves on the board of the League of American Orchestras.

The Cleveland Orchestra is today hailed as one of the very best orchestras on the planet, noted for its musical excellence and for its devotion and service to the community it calls home. The 2019-20 season marks the ensemble's eighteenth year under the direction of Franz Welser-Möst, one of today's most acclaimed musical leaders. Working together, the Orchestra and its board of trustees, staff, and volunteers have affirmed a set of community-inspired goals for the 21st century — to continue the Orchestra's legendary command of musical excellence while focusing new efforts and resources toward fully serving its hometown community throughout Northeast Ohio. The promise of continuing extraordinary concert experiences, engaging music education programs, and innovative technologies offers future generations dynamic access to the best symphonic entertainment possible anywhere.

André Gremillet, Cleveland Orchestra President and CEO, began his tenure with the Orchestra as Executive Director in January 2016. From 2012 to 2015, he served as Executive Chairman of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO). During his time in Australia, the MSO greatly deepened its engagement with the Melbourne community, resulting in a significant increase in ticket sales and fundraising. The orchestra also made a highly successful European Tour that included debut performances at the BBC Proms in London, the Edinburgh Festival, and the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

From 2007 to 2012, André Gremillet was President and CEO of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO), where his tenure was widely acknowledged as marking a turnaround for the organization. Under his leadership, the NJSO greatly improved its financial condition and increased its artistic reputation.

Prior to joining the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Gremillet served for four years as President of the internationally renowned pipe organ building company Casavant Frères.

A native of Quebec, Canada, and a conservatory-trained pianist, André Gremillet holds a master's degree from the Mannes College of Music and an MBA from McGill University.

The National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela is a social and cultural institution of the Venezuelan State. Also known as "El Sistema", it was conceived and founded in 1975 by Venezuelan teacher and musician José Antonio Abreu to establish the methodology for the collective and individual instruction and practice of music through symphony orchestras and choirs, as instruments of social organization and humanistic development.

Eduardo Mendez started playing violin in a nucleo at the age of five. He remained playing violin even when he moved back to Caracas with his family at the age of 13. He played in Chacao's nucleo in Caracas until he auditioned for the Simon Bolivar Orchestra and was accepted. He then played with the Orchestra until 2003 and participated in several international tours in America and Europe. Eduardo Mendez graduated in law school in 2000 at the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello and graduated as a magister in Public Policies at IESA in 2007. He was named by Maestro Jose Antonio Abreu as Executive Director of El Sistema in 2008 after 12 years of uninterrupted work alongside him.

medici.tv is the global leader in classical music video streaming. Heralded by The New York Times as “the closest thing to a classical Netflix,” medici.tv has brought liveclassical music to passionate fans in over 180 countries. For over 10 years, it hascaptured the performances of leading classical artists, ensembles, and orchestrasin great concert halls, festivals, and competitions the world over. As the largestonline platform for classical music, it offers over 150 live performances throughoutthe year and the world's largest VOD catalog of more than 2,500 videos. At thissummer's International Tchaikovsky Competition, the platform broke records forclassical music streaming with over 20 million views.

medici.tv counts among its main partnerships Carnegie Hall in New York, the Salzburg, Lucerne and VerbierFestivals, the London Symphony, Israel Philharmonic or the Mariinsky Orchestra,the Tchaikovsky Competition, the Juilliard School or the Royal College of Music inLondon.

Hervé Boissière is the Founder and CEO of medici.tv. Launched in 2008, medici. tv became in few years the leading digital platform for classical music audiovisual programs in the world. In 2019, medici.tv presented over 150 first class live events and offers a VOD library presenting more than 2.500 programs, with the greatest musicians and art institutions of our time. Before medici.tv, Hervé Boissière was Executive Chairman of the French indie label naïve (he created naïve classique with Patrick Zelnik in 1998). In the 90's, he occupied various executive positions at Warner Music France and Warner Classics.

Hervé Boissière has produced over 700 audio and visual recordings, including winners of many international awards. Hervé Boissière has been honored by the French Ministry of Culture “Chevalier des Arts et Lettres”.

CHEN Zuohuang

Over the past 30 years, Maestro CHEN Zuohuang had been Music Director or Artistic Director in eight orchestras in China, the U.S., Mexico and South Korea. He is the founding member of China National Symphony Orchestra, China NCPA Orchestra, Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra and Guiyang Symphony Orchestra. He has also led over ten tours in Asia, Europe and North America with orchestras from China, Germany, Hungary and South Korea.

Maestro CHEN is China's first recipient of a Doctor of Musicl Arts Degree in Conducting.

He served as Artistic Director of China's National Centre for the Performing Arts in its first decade.

LÜ Jia

LÜ Jia is Artistic Director of Music of the NCPA, Music Director and Chief Conductor of the China NCPA Orchestra. He is also the Music Director of Macao Orchestra. Before taking up his current posts, LÜ served as Music Director at Verona Opera, Artistic Director at Symphony Orchestra of Tenerife.

LÜ Jia has conducted about 2,000 opera performances and concerts in Europe, the Americas and other countries. He has worked with leading opera houses like Teatro alla Scala and the Deutsche Oper Berlin and renowned orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Gewandhausorchester.

As the first Asian conductor to serve as the Artistic Director of a major Italian opera house, he was praised by Italian music critics as "a conductor who understands opera even better than the Italians do."

BAI Yansong

Born in Inner Mongolia in 1968, BAI Yansong was enrolled in the Department of Journalism at the Beijing Broadcasting Institute in 1985. Following graduation, he became an employee of the China National Radio in 1989 before moving on to work for the China Central Television (CCTV) at the beginning of 1993. He is currently a commentator for News 1+1 and host of News Weekly, both CCTV programmes.

He hosted the CCTV live broadcast of major events including Hong Kong's and Macao's return to China, the river closure of the Three Gorges Project, the 2008 Summer Olympics host city election, China joining the WTO, the Sydney and Beijing Olympics, ceremonies celebrating the 50th and 60th anniversaries of the founding of the PRC, the launches of Shenzhou Spacecrafts and Chang'e Satellites. BAI is the first host in the Chinese mainland to do feature interviews and CCTV's first news commentator. An enthusiastic and active charity promoter, he became the first-ever person from the Chinese mainland to be appointed as Ambassador to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

BAI Yansong is one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Chinese Persons” for the year of 2000 and a World Economic Forum 2008 Young Global Leader. He is the recipient of numerous honours including the Golden Microphone Award, the Changjiang Taofen Award and the “News Commentator of the Year 2010”. He was elected a member of the 12th and 13th national committee of CPPCC in both 2013 and 2018 respectively.

CAO Yan

CAO Yan is CEO of Xi'an Symphony Orchestra and General Manager of Xi'an Concert Hall. She is a founder of Xi'an International Festival, a major cultural event inaugurated in 2000.

CHEN Guangxian

CHEN Guangxian, Chairman of China Symphony Development Foundation, General Manager of Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, Vice President of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Foundation and Director of China Musicians' Association. He once served as the Vice President of Shanghai Opera House, General Manager, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Managing Director of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He has rich experience in orchestra management and is also a leader of prestige and influence in the field of China's symphonic music scene.

CHEN Li

Born ina musical family, CHEN Li has been immersed in the world of music since childhood.This gave him a rich reserve of musical knowledge, and led to his in-depth and extensive research into Western classical music. As a former employee of the People's Music Publishing House for over 30 years, CHEN Li is also the chief editor and editorial board member of many professional musical magazines, and is a classical music columnist who has published hundreds of articles for a dozen domestic major media. CHEN has almost 20yearsof experience as a radio and TV host for classical music programmes. He is noted for his live broadcast and relaying of numerous major international musical events including the Salzburg Festival and the Vienna New Year's Concert. CHEN's profound understanding of classical music earns him an authoritative status in this field. His commentaries and reviews have given guidance to many of the consumption trends in the sector of classical music. He is the music consultant for EMI China as well as a guest professor of several Chinese universities. As an active music connoisseur, CHEN Li has always presented himself as a disseminator of classical music. Combining his expertise in classical music with his rich experience in raising the public awareness of music, CHEN Li has devoted himself to the dissemination and popularization of classical music. He has held hundreds of lectures and master classes up to the present day.

HAO Weiya

Professor at the Composition Department of the Central Conservatory of Music, Doctoral Supervisor, Director of the Composition Department. He studied with renowned Chinese composer Professor WU Zuqiang and obtained his doctoral degree at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 1999. He's also a visiting scholar at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia di Musica in Rome and Columbia University in New York.

Opera Works: A Village Teacher, The Legend of Patriot, The River of Spring, Princess Xinyi, Painted Skin.

Music Works: Cello concerto Ode to the Sea; symphony chorus The Legendary Poet LI Bai, The Moon at the Fortified Pass; piano concerto The Changjiang River, Symphony No. 1 “Memorial”; concerto for flute Flowers Blossom on the Street; traditional Sheng concerto Travel Thousands of Miles; Erhu concerto Tears.

Other Stage Works: Re-composition of the ending act of the NCPA opera production Turandot; music composition for the drama Teahouse and The Lobbyist.

Kang-Kuo Ho

Doctor of Musical Arts, The City University of New York Executive Master of Public Administration, Taiwan University Dr. Ho Kang-Kuo, now the Director of Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO), wasappointed as Art Director of the Asian Village of New York City Queens Festival. He also acted as musicdirector,principal conductor or administration director in various orchestras.

After serving as deputy director of Taiwan Symphony Orchestra and TaipeiSymphony Orchestra,he has worked as a full-time professor at the GraduateInstitute of Performing Arts of Taiwan Normal University since 2008 and waslater promoted as director of the institute. Dr. Ho has been serving as Director ofTSO since February 2018. He won Taiwan Golden Melody Awards fir TraditionalArts and Music as the best player in 2015 and was nominated as the bestproducer by the same award in 2018. Moreover, he has also published booksfocusing on management of symphony orchestras and arts festivals.

Founded in 1969, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has invited innumerable renowned musicians from all over the world to perform and collaborate with them. In 1979, when the first Taipei Music Festival was held, it set the precedent for large-scale music festivals in Taiwan and also established its long tradition of performing an opera every year. Representing the Taipei city, TSO has always been participating in many international music festivals and important events, such as the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, La Folle Journee in Japan in 2012, France's Les Flaneries Musicales de Reims in 2015, Shanghai International Arts Festival in 2016 and a US tour in Washington DC invited by the Washington Center for the Arts.

In 2018, under the leadership of Director Kang-Kuo Ho, TSO has spiritually rebooted Taipei Music Festival with the name “Taipei Renaissance”, to produce multi-culture and innovative orchestral programs. From August 2019 on, World renown Maestro Eliahu Inbal has taken on the role of Principal Conductor. TSO is looking forward to its half-centennial epic chapter prospectively!

LIU Fangfei

An honours graduate from the Japanese Department of the Jilin University, LIU entered China Central Television after winning the “Royalstar” National TV Host Contest. She once hosted large-scale cultural programmes such as Pole to Pole Expedition and A Passage to Africa, and has served as a hostess for large-scale artistic events including CCTV Spring Festival Gala, CCTV Spring Festival Song and Dance Gala and Vienna New Year's Concert. Highly praised for her combination of a fresh and elegant style coupled with a humanistic concern, LIU is currently the host of the CCTV-4 Journey of Civilization, a program of feature interviews with well-known cultural figures. She is a member of the 8thand 9thAll-China Youth Federation as well as Vice-Chair of the Jilin Provincial Youth Federation. She has been providing financial supports to dropout students since her seniorhigh school days, and has sponsored the establishment of Hope Primary Schools after starting her professional career. In 2014, she received an Outstanding Contribution Award from the Hope Project as it celebrated its 25th founding anniversary. She launched the “Fangfei Green Handkerchief Plan”, a public benefit initiative advocating the use of handkerchiefs rather than paper napkinsas more environmentallyfriendly. She is also a Land Ambassador to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

LIU Ying

LIU Ying is currently the Deputy Director of the Management Committee of Guangdong Xinghai Performing Arts Group, Director of Xinghai Concert Hall, Deputy Chairman of Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (AAPPAC) and Deputy Director of the Performing Venue Committee of China Association of Performing Arts (CAPA). She also holds other positions such as Director of Xinghai Performing Arts Theatres, Deputy Director of Guangdong Association of Performing Arts, Executive Member of Guangdong Culture Industry Promotion Association, Guest Professor of Xinghai Conservatory of Music and Deputy Chairman of Guangzhou Musicians Association. In addition, she holds the honorary title of the Guangzhou International Image Communication Ambassador.

LIU Ying has been committed to developing the refined music market and she has made significant achievements. She has established the Xinghai Performing Arts Theatres and the China Key City Theatre Alliance. She has contributed to celebrated music brands such as the Annual Music Awards, the Traditional Chinese Music Festival and the Guangzhou Jazz Festival. All of which have presented her well-received works. The Xinghai Concert Hall, under her management, has been rated as the most active theatre in China for five consecutive years, and was awarded one of “China Top Ten Performance Brands” (the only concert hall on the list) by CAPA. The Xinghai Concert Hall has also maintained strategic partnerships with many prominent orchestras worldwide, including Vienna Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras.

Siqing Lu

In great demand as concert violinist in his native land China and abroad, Siqing Lu (pronouncedSee-Ching Lyu) bursted onto the international music stage when he became the first Asian violinist to capture the first prize at the prestigious Paganini International Violin Competition in Italy in 1987. Long recognized as one of the most outstanding Chinese violinists, Siqing has performed to acclaim in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls in more than forty countries and regions, including the Musikverein in Vienna, Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York City, Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles,Ford Center inToronto, Southam Hall at National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Maison Symphonique and Place des Arts in Montreal, Royal Opera House and Wigmore Hall in London, Theatre Des Champs Elysees and Louis XIV Opera House at Palace of Versailles in Paris, the Great Hall and Kremlin in Moscow, Hamer Hall at the Arts Centre in Melbourne, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Seoul Arts Center, the Esplanade in Singapore, Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Concert Hall Taipei in China.

Qian Shijin

Former Invited Consultant of the NCPA and the first Artistic Director of Shanghai Grand Theatre. Currently the Invited Expert of the China Theatre Development Research Center, Artistic Consultant of Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre, Visiting Professor of Shanghai Theatre Academy.

After graduating from the Violin major of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, QIAN then joined The White-Haired Girl troupe of Shanghai Dance School. In 1985, he was transferred to Shanghai Symphony Orchestra where he served as the Director of the Art Office, Assistant to President, and General Manager successively. In 1991, he was appointed as the Deputy General Manager of Shanghai Cultural Exchange Agency, and participated in the planning of Shanghai International Ballet Competition and Shanghai International Arts Festival, etc. In the July of 1996, he joined the Shanghai Grand Theatre before its completion and served as the Vice General Manger, Artistic Director and Artistic Consultant successively. After 2001, he promoted the introduction of western musicals into China, and realized the premiers of Les Misérables, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, etc. in China.

His published papers include The Survival of Theatres, Theatre Crisis Management, and his published monographs include Shanghai Grand Theatre, Behind the Scenes at the Grand Theatre, and 18 Ballet Lectures, etc.

REN Xiaolong

REN Xiaolong has worked at China National Centre for the Performing Arts since 2008. He currently serves as Managing Director of China NCPA Orchestra and once served as Deputy Director of the Programme Management Department of NCPA.

TAN Lihua

TAN Lihua is currently the Vice President of the Chinese Musicians' Association (CMA), a member of the national committee of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC), and the Deputy Director of the Art Committee of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). From 1991 to 1995, he served as one of the major conductors of the China National Symphony Orchestra, and since 1992 he has been Managing Director, Artistic Director and in addition the Chief Conductor of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra for 26 years. As an active conductor in the Chinese and international music circles, TAN has conducted the Russian National Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, WDR Symphony Orchestra and other world-class orchestras. He has also cooperated with symphony orchestras from all over the world in such places as Germany, Austria, Russia, the US, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Australia, North America and Central & South America. He has worked with maestros such as Lazar Berman, Denis Matsuev, Vadim Repin, Midori Goto, Yo-Yo Ma, and Mischa Maisky. As an enthusiastic advocator and supporter of the creation and performance of contemporary Chinese symphonies, Tan has conducted the premieres of over 100 new works by dozens of Chinese composers.

WANG Liguang

Professor Wang Liguang serves as chairman of the Global Music Education League (GMEL) and president of the China Conservatory of Music. He is also the initiator of the Chinese National School of Music, a doctoral advisor, and the chief editor of the Chinese Music Encyclopedia.

He ranks as a prominent contemporary Chinese composer as well, and his works range from symphony and Chamber pieces to those for opera and film. Professor Wang received the title of Leading Talent of Chinese Culture Masters from the Chinese government. He has won many additional awards from the state, including the Award of a Decade Contribution Review Bonus for Chinese Popular Music, the Best Music of Golden Rooster Award, the Excellent Music of China Huabiao Film Award, the Best Works Award, the Golden Eagle Award, and the Flying Apsaras Award among others. His film scores also won the Jury Award at the Montreal World Film Festival.

A leading talent of the Philosophy and Social Sciences of Ten Thousand Talents Program of China, and the "Four 'First Batch' Talents" of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

YE Xiaogang

YE Xiaogang, a PhD supervisorof the Composition Department of the Central Conservatory of Music, is now served as a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC, Vice President of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Chairman of the Chinese Musicians' Association, and Artistic Directors of Beijing Modern Music Festival, Shenzhen Belt and Road International Music Festival and Tsingtao International Music Festival. He is also Chairman of the Arts Committee of International Music Competition of Harbin andguest expert forthe Xinghai Conservatory of Music. YE wasone of the first selectednominees of the ‘Four Batches of Talents' programof the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and an expert with State Council Special Allowance. He is considered to bea representative of contemporary Chinese music.

YE Xiaogang has createdmany works in a variety of genres, including symphony, chamber music, opera, dance drama, music for films and TVseries, such as Horizon, Springs in the Forest, Song of Farewell, The Macau Bride and The Rise of the Great Nations. He has won the Golden Bell Awards, the Golden Rooster Awards, China Huabiao File Awards, the Best Works Award (awarded by the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC), theChina Arts Award, and the Guggenheim Fellowship.

YU Feng

President of the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM), professor and Chair of Conducting Department at the Central Conservatory of Music. He graduated from the ConductingDepartment of the Central Conservatory of Music in 1991. He studied in the Academy of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin and graduated with the highest diploma-Ph.D degree in Conducting in 1996. He was successively appointed as the Vice President, President, Artistic Director and the Principle Conductor of the China National Opera House (CNOH).

YU Feng created the Chinese Modern conducting pedagogy, which won the second prize for the National Educational Science and Technology of China. He initiated “International Opera Season”, and led CNOH to world tour with classic operas such as Der Ring des Nibelungen and original Chinese operas such as The White-Haired Girl, etc. His Chinese original opera Farewell My Concubine won the 13th Wenhua Prize; The Love Story of Rawap won the Excellent Play Award in the first National Art Group Joint Performance Congregation organized by the Ministry of Culture of China; Hongbang Tailor won the Excellent Award in the 13th “Five One Project” of China. He is entitled to “national expert with outstanding contribution” by the State Council and the “Four ‘First Batch' Talents” of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

ZHANG Yi

Learning to play the violin at the age of five, ZHANG Yi was recommended to Central Conservatory of Music in 1990. He learned conducting under the guidance of Prof. XU Xin and Prof. JI Ruikai. From 2000 to 2003, he pursued further education in the Saarbrücken Hochschule für Musik Saar, where he finished the graduate course for conducting with Prof. Max Pommer, a renowned German conductor.

As an influential conductor in China, ZHANG Yi devoted himself in hundreds of concerts, operas and ballets. In his performances around European, American, Australian and Asian countries, ZHANG Yi collaborated with numerous artists c. During his tour in Malaysia, ZHANG Yi received great acclaim in local news media, describing him as “a brilliant, incredible charming young conductor”.

ZHANG Yi conducted many premieres of Chinese and foreign works. In May 2012, he was given the Award of Outstanding Contribution at the Beijing Modern Music Festival for his efforts in showcasing modern Chinese music and musicians.

Known for his enthusiasm and passion, ZHANG Yi is often invited to take part in national events.

AGENDAKEYNOTE SPEECHES

November 26th Tuesday

MF Theatre, NCPA
  • 10:00-11:00Opening Ceremony
  • 11:20-12:00Keynote Speech
  • 14:00-15:20Keynote Speech
  • 15:40-17:00Keynote Speech

November 27th Wednesday

Grand Ballroom, China World Hotel BEIJING
  • 10:00-10:50Thematic Forum:Audience Development & Art Education(Part I)
  • 11:20-12:00Thematic Forum:Audience Development & Art Education(Part II)
  • 10:00-11:00Thematic Forum:Symphonic Music & Technology(Part I)
  • 11:20-12:00Thematic Forum:Symphonic Music & Technology(Part II)
  • 14:00-15:00Thematic Forum:Symphonic Music & City(Part I)
  • 15:20-16:00Thematic Forum:Symphonic Music & City(Part II)
  • 14:00-14:40Thematic Forum:The Development of Orchestras & New Works(Part I)
  • 15:00-16:00Thematic Forum:The Development of Orchestras & New Works(Part II)

November 28th Thursday

Resource Centre, NCPA
  • 10:00-11:00Closing Ceremony
Morning, November 26th   Keynote Speeches
  • Keynote Speech by WANG Ning, Secretary of the CPC NCPA Committee and President of NCPA
  • Keynote Speech by YE Xiaogang, Chairman of Chinese Musicians' Association
  • Keynote Speech by LÜ Jia, Artistic Director of Music, NCPA
  • Keynote Speech by Valery Gergiev, Artistic Director of Mariinsky Theatre
Afternoon, November 26th   Keynote Speeches
  • André GremilletCleveland and Its Orchestra: A Love Affair
  • Michael HaefligerA World of Symphonies
  • James WilliamsA New Era for Orchestral Music
  • Hideki NishihamaCommissioning New Works Connects Orchestras in Regional Cities Around Japan
  • Eduardo MéndezInnovation Through Music Education
  • Siqing LuSound of China: the Communication and Promotion of Chinese Symphonic Music
  • Abraham (Avi) Shoshani Classical Music and the City
  • Ferdinand von StrantzVienna Philharmonic - Marketing of a Global Brand
Morning, November 27th   Audience Development & Art Education
  • Jonathan McCormickChicago Symphony Orchestra Music Institute: Education and Community Engagement for the 21st Century
  • Matthias IlkenhansNDR Radiophilharmonie: Audience Development and Education Projects
  • Paul MüllerArtistic Education – Overall Strategy in View of Our Future Visions and Challenges
Morning, November 27th   Symphonic Music & Technology
  • NCPA Classical Music ChannelSymphonic Music & Technology
  • Hervé BoissièreHow Live Streaming is Influencing Orchestras Touring Abroad?
  • Aliena HaigOrchestras and Technology - A Global Perspective
  • Arna EinarsdóttirMusic: The Power to Connect!
Afternoon, November 27th   Symphonic Music & City
  • Gary GinstlingThe National Symphony Orchestra: Representing a Nation While Serving the Nation's Capital
  • Eun-Kyung KANG SPO's Journey From the Past Through the Present to the Future, Together with Seoul Metropolitan City
  • CAO YanInheritance, Exploration & Integration: To Conduct Self-Cultivation in Music for Xi'an, the Thousand-Year-Long Capital in Ancient Times
  • Michel OrierFrom Globalized Metropolises to Regional Spaces: The Orchestra's New Territories
  • Chang Hak-PengSymphonic Music in Singapore: Its Role and Relevance
  • Jan NastThe Challenge and Responsibility Is to Cover the Demand of Middle of the Society and Still Stay on World Best Level
  • LIU YingMake Art a Part of Life
Afternoon, November 27th   The Development of Orchestra & New Works
  • Johannes NeubertHow Databases Can Help to Structure the Workflow Process and Information Management of Symphony Orchestras
  • CHEN GuangxianA Brief Review of the Orchestras' Development in the Mainland of China
  • HAO WeiyaFrom YE Xiaogang's Lu Xun to CHEN Qigang's Jiang Tcheng Tse: The “Compromised” Approach of Chinese Composers
  • ZHANG YiOrchestra Rehearsals and Programming
Morning, November 28th   Closing Ceremony
  • NCPA Vice President ZHU Jing Hosts the Closing Ceremony and Reads Beijing Consesus
  • Address by Eduardo Méndez, Executive Director of The National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela
  • Closing address by ZHAO Jiachen, Deputy Secretary of the CPC NCPA Committee and Vice President of NCPA