Conductor: Lin Tao
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts – Concert Hall
Dates: April 18, 2009 19:30
Programme Introduction
Romeo and Juliet has been adapted numerous times for opera, symphony, and ballet. In particular, the French composer Gounod used to adapt it for opera, and the famous musical play West Side Story was also from it. The Russian composer Tchaikovsky created Overture-Fantasy which had become one of his most popular works. Berlioz specially composed the dramatic symphony Romeo and Juliet, incorporating the features of symphony, opera and cantata. Composer Prokofiev created a ballet version. These works have been widely received till today for the tragic love and beautiful melody.
China National Symphony Orchestra
China National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) is one of the most outstanding professional symphony orchestras in China. Originally founded as the Central Philharmonic Orchestra of China in 1956, the orchestra was restructured and renamed in 1996. Leading the CNSO into the future are Director Guan Xia (Composer), Laureate Conductor Muhai Tang, Principal Resident Conductor Li Xincao, and Principal Guest Conductor En Shao.
For almost half a century, the CNSO has introduced Chinese audiences to a vast repertoire of classical, romantic, modern and contemporary orchestral works by both Western and Asian composers.
Throughout its history, the CNSO has collaborated with many world famous artists in order to bring excellence to its audiences. CNSO audiences have been thrilled by famous conductors such as Ormandy, Herbert von Karajan, Seiji Ozawa, Charles Dutoit, Kurt Masur, Slatkin, Rozhestvendsky, Schwarz and Peress. Other well-known guest artists have included composer and conductor Krzystof Penderecki, instrumentalists David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, Mutter, Martha Argerich, Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, Shaham, Wang Jian, Lang Lang, Li Yundi, Lin Choliang and Lindemann.
The CNSO has toured throughout the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Australia, Mexico, Japan, DPR of Korea, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, giving successful performances to critical acclaim by the international press. In London, a music critic for The Times praised the CNSO as “a mature group with a vital sound”. American music critics noted that “the CNSO is an honorable member of the world music stage”. In Europe, critics headlined the orchestra as “a great orchestra appears among the Kings of Orchestral Music “.
Conductor: Lin Tao
Lin Tao is now Art Director and Principal Conductor of Kuzbass Symphony Orchestra, Kemerovo and Saratov Academic Symphony Orchestra. He used to learn from the famous composer Professor Albert Leman and the eminent conductor Professor Dmitri Kitajenko, and got a doctor’s degree in Department of Conducting, Performing Arts from Moscow State Conservatory.
Lin has successively conducted St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Russian State Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, etc. Besides, he has been invited as guest conductor of many Russian orchestras numerous times.
In recent years Lin has successfully conducted more than 1,000 concerts and over 20 operas in dozens of Russian cities. Winning wide acclaim among the audience and highly recognized by critics, Lin was reputed as a talented musician by the Russian media.
Programs
Tchaikovsky
Romeo and Juliet, Overture-Fantasy 17′
Berlioz
Dramatic Symphony Romeo and Juliet (Selections) 19′
—- Intermission —-
Prokofiev
Romeo and Juliet (Selections) 46′
(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)