THE Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO), under the baton of its artistic director Lin Daye, will perform a new composition by Raymond Yiu and Li Bochan as well as Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, Op. 23” tomorrow. The featured soloists will include pianist Li Zhexiang, erhu player Yang Xue, bayan player Xu Xiaonan, and bamboo flutist Zheng Di.

Tchaikovsky’s concerto, famed for the striking chord sequence that introduces the soloist in the first movement, is one of the most popular works in the piano repertoire and a staple in competition finals. Distinguished pianists such as Martha Argerich, Claudio Arrau, and Zhang Haochen have all recorded this masterpiece. Initially intending for Nikolay Rubinstein to premiere his work but facing rejection, Tchaikovsky debuted his piece in Boston, Massachusetts during his 1875 tour, with the German virtuoso Hans von Bülow as the soloist.

After the concerto’s immense success in the U.S. and Europe, Rubinstein withdrew his previous criticism, conducted the Moscow premiere, and included it in his repertoire. The first movement was also recently used as a substitute for the Russian national anthem at the 2020 Olympics. Infused with Ukrainian folk themes, this piece has captivated audiences with its enchanting melodies and intriguing complexity.

Headlining this piece will be Li Zhexiang, a piano prodigy from the Central Conservatory of Music Middle School in Beijing. Li claimed the top prize at the esteemed Santa Cecilia International Competition in Porto, Portugal in June and won the first prize at the China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition last year. A rising star in the classical music scene, Li has performed with prestigious orchestras like the China Philharmonic Orchestra and SZSO.

The second half of the performance will feature a new composition jointly commissioned by SZSO and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra titled “Nan Hai Xin Chao,” which means “Tides of Emotions by the South China Sea.” Yiu’s overture portrays the natural beauty of Shenzhen and Hong Kong in a grandiose manner, while Li Bochan’s three movements, highlighting the erhu, bayan, and bamboo flute as solo instruments, symbolize a dialogue between the East and West, evoking memories of the past and aspirations for a brighter future as the twin cities collaborate and their residents forge strong bonds.

Erhu player Yang and bayan player Xu are both teachers at the Central Conservatory of Music. Zheng, a gifted bamboo flutist, is currently under the tutelage of Professor Tang Junqiao at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She was honored with the Platinum Prize in the World Music category at the Global Genius Music Competition (2023 spring season), an online competition dedicated to uncovering the next generation of classical musicians.

Time: 7:30 p.m., July 25

Tickets: 50-880 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D (Li Dan)