Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Hong Kong Asia Youth Orchestra, composed of young musicians from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, and South Korea, held a concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on the 5th to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
The concert opened with a "Festival Overture," conducted by Jader Bignamini, Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra then joined violinist Sergei Krylov for the Violin Concerto in D major. The second half of the concert featured the "Symphony Fantasy," offering the audience a taste of French romance.
The Asia Youth Orchestra was founded in Hong Kong by renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin and others, and officially premiered in 1990. Every summer, the orchestra opens an application process, selects members, rehearses intensively, and then embarks on a tour.
In an interview, the orchestra's CEO, Liu Guoxiong, stated that the average age of the current members is approximately 22, hailing from 11 Asian countries and regions. Reflecting on its 35-year history, Liu pointed out that the orchestra's commendable achievement lies in the continuity of talent cultivation—the first members of the 1990s have now become teachers, deeply involved in their professional fields, and their students have joined as the "second generation," injecting lasting vitality into the orchestra.
Ruan Huixian, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong SAR Government's Beijing Office, stated that the Asian Youth Orchestra was founded in Hong Kong and considers Hong Kong its home. Every year, young musicians from different Asian countries and regions gather for exchanges, showcasing Hong Kong's unique position as a center for cultural and artistic exchange between China and the world.
Ruan Huixian pointed out that young people are the future of the nation and cultural ambassadors for telling China's story. She encouraged more outstanding young Hong Kong musicians to visit different cities in mainland China for learning and exchange, absorbing the essence of Chinese culture and showcasing the unique charm of Hong Kong culture.
It is reported that after the Beijing performance, the orchestra will also hold concerts in Xi'an, Shanghai, Wuhan, Taipei, Tokyo, and other cities. (End)
