Written in 1937, in the midst of Stalin’s cruel artistic purges, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 shows little of the terrible strain the composer and his compatriots felt. The government defined truth and beauty, and the consequences of coloring outside those lines were dire. Seemingly on a whim, an artist’s work could be condemned, and the artist himself banished. Despite the overriding climate of fear, his Fifth was a triumph; the Leningrad premiere received an ovation that lasted more than half an hour. It remains an extraordinary tribute to inspiration that defies restraint.

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Alsop Conducts Shostakovich

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

The MSO celebrates cross-cultural connections through music as the Orchestra is joined by acclaimed international guest artists to perform this program of Eastern and Western masterpieces.

Chinese New Year (2025)

Arts Centre Melbourne

Written after 20 years of exile, Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances mixes nostalgic memories of Russian music with the energetic sounds of his new American home. And ring in the Lunar New Year with Wu Man, "the world's greatest pipa player" (Wall Street Journal), as she performs a concerto by Zhao Jiping (China’s answer to John WIlliams) inspired by the folksongs of Wu Man’s hometown.

Rachmaninoff's Dances

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

This Sunday matinee concert—presented as part of Carnegie Hall’s World Orchestra Week (WOW!)—features the Beijing Youth Orchestra, an ensemble newly created by China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). Lü Jia, who has performed at Carnegie Hall as conductor of the renowned China NCPA Orchestra, leads this exceptional youth orchestra and the inimitable pipa virtuoso Wu Man in a program that includes both Western and Chinese orchestral works.

Beijing Youth Orchestra

Carnegie Hall

Experience an evening of profound music making with Yo-Yo Ma, the world-renowned cellist and longtime Washington Performing Arts collaborator, celebrated for his expressive artistry and deep connection to the music he performs. In this rare solo recital, Ma invites audiences into an intimate musical journey, showcasing works that span the breadth of the cello repertoire. Juxtaposing Bach suites alongside works by contemporary composers he has championed through his solo career, and as the founder of The Silk Road Project, Ma’s performances are known to transcend mere technical mastery, offering listeners a glimpse into the soul of the music. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes “Yo-Yo Ma’s playing captivates the ear and charms the imagination,” highlighting the emotional power and integrity he brings to each piece. This performance is the second-annual Dallas Morse Coors Legacy Concert – a yearly recital celebrating artists who create lasting cultural impact, connecting generations through the universal language of music. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a true cello virtuoso at the height of his craft.

Yo-Yo Ma, cello

The Music Center at Strathmore

Perhaps one day you'll proudly tell your children: "Back then, in the spring of 2026, I heard him with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra! He was still very young, just at the beginning of his career!" Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, born in 1999, is a Canadian pianist with European roots—to some, he's the new Lang Lang. In recent years, he's collected first prizes in piano competitions like other people collect postage stamps, most recently at the prestigious Leeds International Competition. He's celebrated everywhere—for his outstanding technique, for his charisma, for the depth of his interpretations. Simply incredible! Here, he'll play Liszt's strikingly virtuosic First Piano Concerto, flanked by Tchaikovsky's Pathétique and the Silk Road Fantasy by contemporary Chinese composer Jiping Zhao, famous for his many film scores. Guoyong Zhang, Music Director of the Shanghai Opera and Chief Conductor of the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra, conducts.

Liszt Piano Concerto And The Pathétique

Meistersinger Hall

Experience a mesmerizing fusion of musical worlds as the legendary Wu Man brings the haunting beauty of the pipa to life in Zhao Jiping’s Trumpet Concerto. The pipa is a 2,000-year- old, lute-like instrument and Man, the world’s leading pipa player. Lan Shui leads the RPO in an exhilarating program featuring John Adams’ The Chairman Dances, Fauré’s evocative Pelléas et Mélisande, and the swirling intensity of Ravel’s La Valse. A night of rhythm, romance, and riveting orchestral color awaits!

Zhao Jiping

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 3, 2026

Yo-Yo Ma, cello · Washington Performing Arts

Apr 19, 2026

Liszt Piano Concerto And The Pathétique · Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra

7 - 9 May, 2026

Rhythm & Romance · Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

Past events

Jul 7, 2025

Alsop Conducts Shostakovich · Philadelphia Orchestra

Feb 8, 2025

Chinese New Year (2025) · Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

About

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