The China Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tehran Symphony Orchestra will give a joint performance at Vahdat Hall in Tehran on August 13-14.
Long Yu, chief conductor and artistic director of the Chinese orchestra, said he was excited to perform in Iran.
“This visit across the Silk Road trade route has been years in the planning. We hope we can build a cultural bridge in the region, and indeed across the world, that will bring people closer and inspire them to make the world truly harmonious,” he said, on arrival in Tehran, Honaronline reported.
“I’m eagerly waiting to see the Iranian group’s performance,” Yu added.
Ali Rahbari, veteran conductor and music director of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra said the Chinese orchestra would hold two concerts in Tehran. The first would be in two parts, with a performance by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra in the first part and the CPO in the second part. The two orchestras will then give a joint performance at the end of the concert.
The second concert will be conducted by Yu, Rahbari said.
“I am proud of the musical ensemble of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra,” he added.
Earlier, the orchestra was welcomed by Chinese Ambassador Pang Sen, Bahram Jamali, director of Rudaki Foundation and Rahbari, at the Imam Khomeini International Airport.
Sen acknowledged the arrangements made by the Iranian government, the Roudaki Foundation and music professionals from both sides for the performance.
Dynamic Symphony
The China Philharmonic Orchestra is administered by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and is one of the most dynamic symphony orchestras in China.
Maestro Yu, a distinguished conductor has an established international reputation. He is also vice-president of the Chinese Musicians Association, music director of Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Beijing Music Festival and Music in the Summer Air, (MISA).
Yu has conducted top-class global orchestras, and has appeared with a prestigious list of leading orchestras and operas around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, the Hamburg State Opera, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin and the Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester Leipzig, to mention a few.
Largest Orchestra
The Tehran Symphony Orchestra is Iran’s oldest and largest of its kind.
In March, its musicians took to the stage after a three-year hiatus - due to the clampdown by the previous government - with the rendering of Beethoven’s Symphony No 9.
The performance was attended by dignitaries and senior officials, indicating the support of President Hassan Rouhani’s administration to musical concerts and symphony orchestras.
The all-Iranian group has 87 musicians and 70 choir singers.
Rahbari, 66, has spent most of his life in Austria. He is internationally well-known and has conducted more than 120 European orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and London Philharmonic.
