In its first visit since 1996, Asia’s oldest symphony orchestra returns to Australia under maestro Long Yu, hailed by The New York Times as “China’s Herbert von Karajan”. The program balances East and West with contemporary Chinese works by Qigang Chen and Elliot Leung alongside Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. Soloists include cellist Jian Wang and pianist Serena Wang in her Australian debut. Founded in 1879, the orchestra featured on the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack and has performed at Carnegie Hall and the BBC Proms. (See page 65.)

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In a historic collaboration of Eastern and Western traditions, China’s pioneering Shanghai Symphony Orchestra will perform at Hamer Hall. The Orchestra will be led by its renowned Music Director, Long Yu – hailed by The New York Times as “the most powerful figure in China’s classical music scene.”

A vibrant centrepiece of the program is Elliot Leung’s Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours with each movement inspired by a traditional Chinese dish.

Serena Wang also makes her Australasian debut performing Qigang Chen’s Er Huang Piano Concerto.

Completing the program is Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony.