Programme
Tan Dun: Choral Concerto Nine
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, op. 125
A landmark meeting of two visionary works for voice and orchestra promises an extraordinary evening of music, with Tan Dun conducting his own choral concerto Nine alongside Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Bringing together compositions shaped by distinct cultural traditions, the programme explores the enduring connections between memory, humanity, and the universal language of music.
Renowned for bridging cultures and expanding musical boundaries, Tan Dun brings to the stage a piece inspired by a collection of classic Chinese and European poetry, imbued with reflections on nature, ritual, and the human spirit. Through its evocative sonorities and fusion of traditional elements with contemporary orchestral language, the work conveys a powerful dialogue between past and present.
Beethoven's monumental Ninth Symphony has become a universal symbol of hope, freedom, and unity. From its bold opening gestures to the transcendent final movement, the composer's masterpiece affirms a timeless belief in music's ability to rise above the boundaries of language, culture, and time.
Conductor: Tan Dun
Louise Kwong, Soprano
Liu Niru, Mezzo-soprano
Li Yi, Tenor
Yang Yi, Bass
Orchestra: China National Symphony Orchestra
Chorus: China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including one interval
Tan Dun Conducts Beethoven's Ninth and Nine