Young Masters Concert Band's Tour to Beijing

We are delighted to report the successful concert tour of the Young Masters Concert Band to Beijing from July 2 to July 7, 2024. The 15 to 18-year-old musicians from the Young Masters Program performed four sold-out concerts at various venues in and around Beijing, invited by the Beijing Universal Music & Culture Development Co. Ltd. They were accompanied by Helfried Krainer (JSBM), Doris Bogner (JSBM), and Karin Torky-Martin (mdw). This invitation resulted from a longstanding collaboration between JSBM and the organizer Uniart Media.

A highlight of the tour was the concert "The Joint Concert Featuring Young Musicians from China, France, and Austria" in the Concert Hall of the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing. The nine-member ensemble, consisting of a string quartet, double bass, flute, saxophone, harp, and percussion, performed as usual without a conductor. The soloists were from the ensemble itself. Together with the China Junior Philharmonic Orchestra of the Middle School of the Conservatory of Music and the "Music Bridge" Youth Chamber Group from France, they formed the China-France-Austria Joint Youth Chamber Orchestra under the direction of conductor Tan Xilu. The joint program included works by Georges Bizet (Carmen Suite No. 2), Johann Strauss Sr. (Radetzky March), and the popular Chinese piece "Jasmine Flower" by Bao Yuankai.

In addition to the cultural impressions and musical independence, the warm encounters between the musicians, organizers, and the brief glimpse into history through the visits to the "Forbidden City" and the Great Wall of China will remain memorable.

Key Contacts in Beijing:

• Christian Mandl, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum/Austrian Embassy in Beijing
• Li Xincao, Director of the China Conservatory of Music
• Jiang Chun, Director for International Cooperation and Exchange
• Tan Xilu, Conductor of the China-France-Austria Joint Youth Chamber Orchestra
• Zhang Yamei, Officer of the International Exchange Office of the China Conservatory of Music Affiliated Middle School
• Tianna Tian, Tour Supervisor Beijing Universal Music & Culture Development Co. Ltd.
• Jessica, Tour Manager (German-speaking)

Young Masters Concert Band Tour to Beijing – Daily Reports:

July 2: Concert and reception at the Austrian Cultural Forum of the Austrian Embassy in Beijing at Manner Coffee. Opening by Christian Mandl and Ms. Wang from Beijing Universal Music & Culture Development Co. Ltd. A lively evening with an enthusiastic audience.

July 3: Sightseeing Day: Visit to Jingshan Park with a view of the Forbidden City and a trip to the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu.

July 4: Concert at the China Conservatory of Music Guoyin Hall: Joint rehearsals and concert of the Young Masters Concert Band with the China Junior Philharmonic Orchestra and the French ensemble "Music Bridge" Youth Chamber Group. Prior workshop with the Chinese instruments Erhu and Guzheng. An enthusiastic audience of about 350 people.

July 5: Concert at Wukesong Theater Beijing: Rehearsals and concert with the children's choir "Music of Love" under the direction of Helfried Krainer. The highlight was accompanying the choir in "Radetzky March" and "Jasmine".

July 6: Transfer and concert at Konggang Culture Center in Tianjin: A sold-out theater with about 300 people. The program included works by Haydn, Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel, Saint-Saëns, and Strauss.

July 7: Sightseeing in Tianjin and transfer to Beijing Airport.

July 8: Return to Vienna.