The New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NY Phil) has wrapped up an Asia tour, their first visit to the region in four years. Lauded as one of the U.S.'s leading orchestras, and the oldest major symphony orchestra in the country in continual existence, the orchestra performed concerts in Hong Kong, Taipei and Kaohsiung and sent a delegation of musicians to Shanghai for chamber concerts and educational activities linked to the Shanghai Orchestra Academy (SOA) partnership, a joint initiative of the NY Phil and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

The orchestra played in Taipei at the end of June, before moving to Kaohsiung and Hong Kong at the beginning of July, with the tour ending with a show in Shanghai on July 12 featuring musicians from the SSO and SOA students.

Gary Ginstling, NY Phil president and chief executive officer, said their tour is evidence of the progress of post-pandemic recovery for the arts.

"The past few years have been devastating for the performing arts. That this visit – spanning Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, and Shanghai – was the New York Philharmonic’s return to Asia for the first time in four years shows how far the global arts community has recovered. This visit served as an opportunity to share the NY Phil’s magnificent performances with audiences across the Pacific. We are also extremely gratified to be able to take this next significant step toward resuming our role as cultural ambassador," said Ginstling.

Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the NY Phil, conducted the full orchestra at their shows in Hong Kong, Taipei and Kaohsiung, which included symphonies by Beethoven, Dvořák, and Tchaikovsky. 

"We are doing an incredible amount of new music and world premieres each NY Phil season at our home in David Geffen Hall. When we go on tour, I think it's very interesting to see that these pieces that have been played for so many years still resonate so strongly with audiences all around the world," said Van Zweden. 

Ginstling highlighted that touring is the orchestra's way of building global bonds through music. 

"Music can help people better understand the world and one another – it's a reminder of how music can bring people together, and that we can span borders and bring people closer through music, which is at the heart of the NY Phil's mission… Cultural exchange is at the core of the New York Philharmonic's mission, and it is more important now than ever. We believe strongly that we have a commitment to serving as a global cultural ambassador, and we live that commitment in a number of different ways – touring and performing for audiences around the world, supporting the creation of new works, and partnerships like the Shanghai Orchestra Academy." 

Launched in 2014, the SOA is a two-year, post-graduate training program for orchestral musicians, and offers rigorous training at the master's degree level including private lessons, chamber music coaching, repertoire classes, mock auditions and professional seminars. Maestro Long Yu, music director of the SSO, is the president of the academy. 

Some SOA students have previously traveled to New York City to perform with the NY Phil at the Concert in the Parks series; and this month marked the resumption of in-person SOA partnership events since the start of the pandemic in 2019, which included NY Phil musicians being able to visit Shanghai to participate in classes and other activities. 

"In addition to international musical and cultural exchange, collaboration that fosters the next generation of musicians is core to helping our arts community thrive. We deeply value our connection with SOA students, SSO musicians, and Shanghai audiences alike, and we're glad to have had a reunion in Shanghai with a smaller group this year. We hope to return next year with the full orchestra," said Ginstling.