Debra Li

    debra_lidan@163.com

    A RARE opportunity has presented itself to local music lovers for the upcoming holiday season. After 34 years, the century-old French-based Lyon National Orchestra (ONL) is returning to China on its second tour to the country, with its second leg to be in Shenzhen on New Year’s Eve.

    The orchestra will present a French music feast, performing works by Bizet, Debussy, Ravel and other renowned French composers. Under the baton of seven-time Grammy award-winning conductor Leonard Slatkin, the classic French repertoire performed by an elite French orchestra promises a memorable night for local fans. Wang Jian, a Chinese cellist with an international career, will collaborate.

    Wang, a familiar face to local fans, has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras such as the “Big Five” American orchestras, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony and the BBC Symphony. A Shanghai native, he graduated from the Yale School of Music under a special program where he studied with renowned cellist Aldo Parisot.

    Although the orchestra has existed for more than a century, listening to a live concert by ONL can be a new experience. Established in 1905, the orchestra is renowned for its long tradition and unique musical expression.

    Their previous visit to China was in 1979, after the then newly initiated reform and opening-up policy gave way to a new chapter in the country’s classical music scene. In April 1979, ONL conducted an initial visit to China with Serge Baudo. The program included French classics such as “Mother Goose” by Ravel and “Fantastic Symphony” by Berlioz.

    In the same year, Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Seiji Ozawa, Berlin Philharmonic led by Herbert von Karajan and Toronto Symphony Orchestra led by Andrew Davies also visited China, as well as outstanding soloists Yehudi Menuhin and Isaac Stern.

    The more than 30 years since have seen tremendous growth in China’s classical music realm as well as with ONL.

    Since the appointment of Slatkin as ONL’s music director in 2011, the orchestra has been touring extensively outside France, including tours to other European countries, Japan and the United States. The orchestra has performed with renowned artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Martha Argerich and Jessye Norman. Besides their classical repertoire, it is also frequently premiering new works by such contemporary composers as Pierre Boulez and Steve Reich.

    Slatkin, conductor of the upcoming New Year’s Eve concert, is no stranger to classical music fans. Having recorded more than 100 albums, he received seven Grammy awards and 64 nominations. Born in Los Angeles to a musical family, Slatkin started playing the violin at 3, and later progressed onto the piano, composition and conducting. He graduated from Indiana University and The Juilliard School. Having conducted many first-class orchestras including Boston Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he is also frequently seen conducting at renowned summer music festivals.

    Slatkin’s previous visit to China was in 2008, when he conducted London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing and Shanghai. Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts had invited him to conduct their 2010 New Year’s Concert, but Slatkin couldn’t come for health reasons. Therefore, this concert is a long sought-after return for both the orchestra and Slatkin.

    Besides the all-French program, Slatkin will conduct the China premiere of “Carmen’s Hoedown,” a composition by his father.

    ONL will also take their concert to Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.

    Time: 8 p.m., Dec. 31

    Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater

    Ticketing hotline: 8637-1698/8637-1699