Yu made the remarks recently at the orchestra's first rehearsal of Tchaichovsky's Serenade for Strings.

When composing the piece, Peter Illych Tchaichovsky was having a happy time in Madame von Meck's castle. The friendship and spiritual love of this music lover was the only beam of sunshine in Tchaichovsky's tortured heart.

The serenade was filled with the passion of life, hiding a melodious sadness. At the Beijing rehearsal, the violin solo expressed Tchaichovsky's mood well -- although cooperation among other instruments was obviously in question.

There was obvious enthusiasm in the performance, but the enthusiasm alone could not cover Tchaichovsky's complex mood and the depth of Russian music.

Yu Long still expressed satisfaction with this first rehearsal.

Yu, a pupil of Huang Xiaotong (a renowned Chinese musician) and Rubinstein, is one of the best conductors in China. He has conducted the Berlin Broadcasting Orchestra, Budapest Broadcasting Orchestra and at Hamburg Opera house.

When asked whether he would have enough time conducting China Philharmonic Orchestra, Yu said he would serve mainly as the artistic director and invite other conductors to the orchestra.

Members of this orchestra, mostly in their 30s, have all been strictly chosen.

When asked how to solve the chronic problem in Chinese orchestras -- excellent strings backed by weak woodwind and brass sections -- Shi Shucheng, assistant to the artistic director, said foreign woodwind performers had been invited to play.

The orchestra will make its debut early this December in Beijing's Poly Theatre, when Braham's No.1 Piano Quartet will be performed.

(China Daily 10/13/2000)