Beijing Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra Gala Concert

As an exciting international summer in London approaches, the London Philharmonic Orchestra joins forces with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, for a special gala concert at Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 29 July 2012 as part of Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World.
 
Opening the concert, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Conductor Tan Lihua conducts the Symphonic Overture ‘Lotus’ by the acclaimed Chinese composer Guo Wenjing, which has been offered as a gift, passing the musical baton from Beijing to London. Joining the two orchestras, award-winning percussionist Li Biao performs the Symphony Concerto Sacred Fire 2008, which he premièred with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra at the 2008 Olympic Games.
 
The concert culminates with a performance of Beethoven’s epic Symphony No. 9, ‘Choral’, considered to be one of Beethoven’s greatest works to mark this unique evening of musical celebration.
 
Timothy Walker, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, said of the concert: “The London Philharmonic Orchestra is delighted to be joining with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra for this unique collaborative Gala concert to celebrate this international summer and momentous year and the passing of the musical baton from Beijing to London.”
 
Tan Lihua, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, said:
“This is indeed a great delight and honour that the Beijing Symphony Orchestra have such an opportunity to perform in this Gala concert on an occasion of historic significance and it is with great pleasure that the two orchestras are joining together again to make music together under my direction.”

Tan Lihua conductor | Li Biao percussion
Rebecca Evans soprano | Ning Liang mezzo soprano
Andrew Kennedy tenor | Matthew Rose bass
London Philharmonic Choir