Musical and cultural links between China and Australia are about to get a little stronger in July when the Guizhou Chinese Orchestra arrives to perform a new collaboration with musicians of the Sydney-based Australia Orchestra.

Performed in Sydney and Melbourne in July, Folk Reimagined: East in Symphony bring together more than 70 players in a sweeping celebration of folklore and history under the twin batons of Conductor Long Guohong and Guest Conductor Luke Spicer.

Guizhou Chinese Orchestra. Photo supplied

The program features newly orchestrated arrangements of iconic Chinese works, including the Yellow River Piano Concerto and a symphonic suite inspired by four classic Chinese novels. Audiences will also experience the world premiere of Black Myth: Wukong, a symphonic fantasy drawing on themes from the hit video game.

Folk Reimagined will showcase rare solo performances by two of China’s foremost traditional instrumentalists: jinghu virtuoso Jiang Kemei and Zhang Qianyuan on the suona, a high-pitched double-reed horn with roots in ancient ritual.

Also appearing is the Guizhou Kam Grand Choir – bearers of an a cappella tradition inscribed on UNESCO’s List of...