The Spring of Chinese Symphony presented by National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) gathers some 30 symphony orchestras from all over the country. This weekend features the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, a relatively young organization founded in 1985.

Under the baton of its artistic director Yang Li, the orchestra will play Verdi's I Vespri Siciliani, Rachmaninov's Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Paganini and Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang's Sentiments for Jingu.

Verdi and Rachmaninov's pieces are familiar to the concert-goers while Ye's composition is commissioned by the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra and express the composer's feelings and thoughts about the old coastal city Tianjin.

Ye blends modern techniques and traditional Chinese tunes to create a fine melodic score.

The 41-year-old conductor Yang was born in a music family and learned conducting at the China Central Conservatory of Music. Then he furthered his study at the Stuttgart Conservatory and has conducted many orchestras in Germany.

Rising Chinese pianist Zhang Le, who graduated from Tianjin Conservatory of Music, will play Rachmaninov's Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Paganini.

7:30pm

Concert hall of National Center for the Performing Arts 國家大劇院

6655-0000

(China Daily 05/03/2008 page6)