On March 8th-9th, the New York Philharmonic, which hasn’t visited Beijing for ten years, will appear under the baton of the music director designate Jaap van Zweden. The New York Philharmonic, founded in 1842, is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States of America, and has been led by one virtuosic music director after another, such as Mahler, Toscanini and Bernstein.

In 1998, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra made its first visit to Beijing under the leadership of then music director Kurt Masur. In 2008, the orchestra made its NCPA debut under the baton of then music director Lorin Maazel. Ten years has passed, and the time-honoured orchestra will make its fourth appearance in Beijing. Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden was appointed the 26th music director in early 2016 and will assume the position from the 2018-2019 season. Additionally, Van Zweden had transformed from himself from a violinist into a conductor, since Bernstein had suggested he do so.

In two concerts given, Van Zweden will conduct masterpieces of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring with violinist Ryu Goto and pianist Yuja Wang.

“I have loved making music with this exceptional Orchestra ever since my debut six years ago, and I’m thrilled to be collaborating with them in the intensive, immersive context of a tour,” said music director designate Jaap van Zweden. “The brilliant musicians of the New York Philharmonic bring insight to Mahler, beauty to Brahms, and, to all, admirable discipline and astounding virtuosity and passion. I also look forward to reuniting with Yuja Wang and working with Ryu Goto, and to revisiting Asian capitals, whose sophisticated audiences I’ve gotten to know over the years.”