The Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, comprising the finest Asian musicians, will present its debut concert in Beijing at the National Center for the Performing Arts. Chung Myung-Whun, a South Korea-born maestro, will take the baton to perform Mozart's Symphonic Concerto in E flat for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Mahler's Symphony No 1, "Titan".

The 56-year-old pianist/conductor has studied at the Julliard School in New York and worked as music director at the world's most prestigious orchestras in the United States, Europe and Asia for three decades. In 1997, he gathered leading musicians from China, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries to establish the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra.

He believes classical music is world music, a rich heritage that has grown far beyond its European roots to be shared and enjoyed by all.

"Music has no national boundaries. Classical music used to be called Western music in Asian countries, but today it is music that is enjoyed worldwide. Musical ability and musical talent are definitely not linked to whether you are Korean, Japanese, or Chinese, or French or American. It's a language of feeling and spirit," says the conductor.

Recalling the orchestra's first rehearsal in Japan, he says, "All of a sudden, Koreans, Japanese and Chinese were all friends through music. So music has that quality of being able to transcend boundaries to bring people closer together."

For the orchestra's debut in the capital, Chung has invited many Chinese musicians to join in.

"Many Chinese players in the orchestra are principals in the world's leading orchestras. For example, Chen Murong is the first violin in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. China has quite a few world-known musicians such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Lang Lang and many up-coming ones. I believe China will play an important role in the future of classic music," he says.

7:30 pm, Aug 5
West of Tian'anmen Square
6655-0000

(China Daily July 31, 2009)