Culture
15:16, 10-Oct-2017
‘Symphonic marathon’ to mark 20th anniversary of Beijing International Music Festival
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The Beijing International Music Festival (BMF) celebrated its 20th birthday on Saturday, with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Bach’s Concerto in D minor for Two Violins performed at the opening.
Conductor Yu Long joined hands with German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann and his son Serge Zimmermann in bringing a musical feast to the audience at the Poly Theatre in Beijing. The opening chapter was circled around the theme of “passing on” the art from generation to generation.
Conductor Yu Long (R), violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann (M) and his son Serge Zimmermann at a press conference. /Xinhua Photo
Conductor Yu Long (R), violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann (M) and his son Serge Zimmermann at a press conference. /Xinhua Photo
“We specially invited the father and son to play for the opening , because we believe everything, not only the classical music, but all kinds of music as a whole, and the culture in a broader sense, needs to be passed on from one generation after another,” said Tu Song, director for music programs of the 2017 BMF.
The musical event this year will last until October 29, with domestic and foreign musicians set to stage 29 performances. The most noteworthy part is a 10-hour symphonic marathon co-performed by nine domestic symphony orchestras.
Names of foreign orchestras and renowned musicians are also on the list of performances. The Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic and big names in the classical music field such as Jaap van Zweden and Paavo Jarvi are all scheduled to come.
German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann and his son Serge Zimmermann in rehearsal. /Photo via China Daily
German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann and his son Serge Zimmermann in rehearsal. /Photo via China Daily
The BMF this year will also launch more activities to bring the public closer to the classical music. There are at least 12 such events, including lectures on how to admire classical music, introductions to the great maestros, classical music on campus and open rehearsals.
The BMF was an annual music festival initiated in 1998, jointly performed by the Ministry of Culture and Beijing government.
Every autumn, when the weather cools down, musicians from all around the world would bring a feast of music for the classical music enthusiasts.
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