Qigang Chen , born in China and coming to Europe in 1984, is considered the last student of Olivier Messiaen. In five very short movements, the orchestra portrays the "Five Elements" ("Wu Xing") according to Chinese philosophy: water, wood, fire, earth and metal - in that order. The wood and metal sound of the orchestral percussion plays an important role.

Myth and Nature

Anneliese Brost Musikforum Ruhr

Jonathon Heyward conducts a pair of distinct musical portraits. German composer Christian Jost’s 'The Woman in the Gardens of Suzhou' depicts the gardens of Suzhou which defined and perfected the imagery of the Chinese Garden. Meanwhile Mieczysław Weinberg’s Third Symphony, written between 1949-1950, flits between pastoral images and Russian folk melodies.

Jonathon Heyward conducts Jost and Weinberg

BBC Maida Vale Studios

Christian Jost

Events

Upcoming events

May 7, 2026

Thursday concert 06: Roberto González-Monjas & Christoph Sietzen · Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum

Past events

5 - 6 Jul, 2025

Myth and Nature · Bochumer Symphoniker

Jul 3, 2025

Jonathon Heyward conducts Jost and Weinberg · BBC Symphony Orchestra

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