Yu Long

Long Yu

Maestro Long Yu following the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany award ceremony in 2016
Background information
Born (1964-07-01) July 1, 1964
Shanghai, China
Genres Classical
Occupation(s) Musician, conductor
Years active 1990s–present
Associated acts China Philharmonic, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Beijing Music Festival, Music in the Summer Air Festival
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Yu.

Long Yu (Chinese: 余隆; pinyin: Yú Lóng; born July 1, 1964) is the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the China Philharmonic and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Yu is also Artistic Director of the Beijing Music Festival and Co-Director of the Music in the Summer Air Festival (MISA) in Shanghai, China with Charles Dutoit.[1] Yu is a recipient of the Global Citizen Award among other international awards.

Early life

Yu was born into a family of musicians in Shanghai, China and grew up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. His mother is a pianist and father a choreographer. Yu received his early childhood music education beginning with piano from his grandfather the renowned Chinese composer Ding Shande.[2] This education prepared him for the rigorous formal music education he received in conducting at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, graduating in 1987. Yu then went on to study in Europe at the Universität der Künste Berlin.[3]

Career

After returning from his studies in Europe, Yu was appointed Principal Conductor of the Central Opera Theatre in Beijing in 1992, serving as conductor for three years. Also in 1992, Yu assisted in planning Beijing's first New Year’s Concert. Simultaneously, Maestro Yu produced operas for the Urban Council of Hong Kong for five years.[4]

Maestro Yu's first significant success came after his creation of the now internationally celebrated Beijing Music Festival (BMF) in 1998, becoming its Founding Artistic Director. The festival is now known as the Eastern Hemisphere's largest classical music festivals and one of the most recognized festivals across the globe.

In 2000, the Chinese government invited Yu to assume leadership over the China Broadcasting Symphony, which was struggling at the time as a second-tier orchestra under the National Symphony. Yu held open auditions, becoming the first Chinese orchestra to recruit all its performers this way, and offered a significantly higher salary to rebuild the symphony with the strongest players. The symphony was renamed the China Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) and quickly gained recognition for a disciplined and accomplished orchestra.[5] Yu's reforms won significant financial backing from business magnate Li Ka-shing; Deng Xiaoping's (China’s former leader) daughter, Deng Rong; the state-controlled Poly Group; and China’s former vice premier, Wu Yi, among others. In spring of 2009, CPO gained international recognition when Gramophone voted the organization as one of the world's 10 most inspiring orchestras alongside Berlin Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra, "for almost single-handedly bringing Western classical music to the ears and hearts of a vast nation, for whom it had been forbidden for decades," according to the consulting jury of Gramophone.

In 2003, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra (GSO), based in Guangzhou, China, appointed Maestro Yu Music Director. Under his directorship, Yu has strengthened the skill and reputation of the orchestra.[6]

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the oldest orchestra in China, next turned to Yu for revitalization of their organization and appointed him Music Director in 2009.[7] The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra has led many initiatives under Yu's direction including launching the Music in the Summer Air Festival (MISA) in August 2010;[8] constructing a new home for the orchestra (the Shanghai Symphony Hall) in 2014;[9] establishing the Shanghai Orchestra Academy in 2014;[10] and launching the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition in 2016.[11]

Yu has shared the position of Artistic Co-Director of the Music In the Summer Air Festival (MISA) with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's Artistic Director Charles Dutoit since the festival's launch in 2010. MISA aims to bring new possibilities of classical music, making it accessible to the young people of Shanghai including performances of Disney works.[12]

In January 2015, Maestro Yu was named principal guest conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra by Music Director Jaap van Zweden. This marks the first appointment of a mainland Chinese conductor to the position since it was opened in 1982.[13]

In addition to his multiple posts, Maestro Yu performs regularly with the world’s leading orchestras and opera companies including the New York Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, BBC Symphony, Hamburg Staatsoper, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, and Singapore Symphony Orchestra, among others.[14]

Special Projects

Yu founded China's first orchestral academy, Shanghai Orchestra Academy, in September 2014 with the partnership of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Conservatory, and the New York Philharmonic.[15] The academy offers either a two-year certificate or three-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) course where students have the opportunity to serve apprenticeships in renowned orchestras across the world such as the New York Philharmonic, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Apprenticeships are focused on ensemble training including lessons, chamber music coaching, orchestral repertoire classes and audition preparation training.

As part of his continued vision of "the cultural bridge" between the East and the West, Yu launched Compose 20:20 in February 2015. Through this project, Maestro Yu has committed to present 20 new works by prominent Chinese composers in the West in addition to presenting 20 contemporary Western works in China, by the year 2020. The project was launched with a performance of Zhao Lin's concerto for cello and sheng called Duo performed by celebrated cellist, Yo Yo Ma; sheng player, Wu Tong; and the New York Philharmonic led by Yu himself. The concert took place at New York Philharmonic's annual Chinese New Year's Concert and Gala at Avery Fisher Hall on Feb 24, 2015 which Maestro Yu conducted for the fourth consecutive season. Yu has appeared on both BBC World News America[16] and NPR's All Things Considered[17] to discuss the project.

Notable performances

On May 7, 2008, Yu led the China Philharmonic in a performance of Mozart's Requiem and the Chinese folk song Jasmine for Pope Benedict XVI in the Paul VI Audience Hall, which was praised as a big step in joining the East and West through music.[18][19] It marked the first time in history Chinese musicians had performed at the Vatican.[20]

In July 2010 Yu led the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in a historic joint performance with the New York Philharmonic in New York's Central Park in celebration of the World Expo to take place that year in Shanghai. The concert was attended by an estimated 30,000 people and broadcast to an even wider audience in China.[21]

On July 19, 2014, Maestro Yu and the China Philharmonic became the first Chinese conductor and the first Chinese orchestra to perform at the televised BBC Proms series at London’s Royal Albert Hall playing Qigang Chen's Joie Eternelle for trumpet and orchestra with internationally recognized trumpeter Alison Balsom,[22] Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist Haochen Zhang, and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 4.[23] The concert was viewed by millions of people across the United Kingdom.[24]

August 6–19, 2015, Yu led China Philharmonic Orchestra on a tour along the famous Silk Road trade route to promote cultural exchange in six countries: Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Iran, and Greece.[25] The tour culminated in Tehran, Iran with a performance of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony, "From the New World," using the original score. The performance marked the first visit to Tehran from an orchestra based in one of the negotiating countries of the P5+1 agreement with Iran, promoting cultural diplomacy.[26]

On August 28, 2015, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Yu, played at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the end of the Second World War.[27] Artists from all the major Allied powers of WWII were represented at the concert performing music by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, John Williams (Theme from Schindler's List performed with violinist Maxim Vengerov), and a new work by Zou Ye.[28]

Select Discography

Year Album Label
1996 The Hall of Fame with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra[29] Marco Polo
1997 Korngold / Goldmark: Violin Concertos with Vera Tsu and the Razumovsky Symphony Orchestra Naxos
1997 Greatest Movie Classics with the Razumovsky Symphony Orchestra Marco Polo
1998 The Centre, Vol. 2 Naxos
1999 Discover the Classics, Vol. 3: The Concerto Naxos Educational
2000 Classics at the Movies: Drama Naxos
2003 Love and Peace Naxos
2004 Ding Shande: Long March Symphony with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Marco Polo
2006 Dragon Songs with Lang Lang and the China Philharmonic Orchestra[30] Deutsche Grammophon
2008 Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet; Strauss: Don Quixote with the China Philharmonic Orchestra[31] Decca
2009 The Very Best of Cinema Classics Naxos
2012 Bao Yuankai: Five Orchestral Pieces; Lu Qiming: Ode to the Red Flag; Liu Tingyu: Susan Suite with the China Philharmonic Orchestra Deutsche Grammophon
2013 Klassik Ohne Krise: Ganz grosses Kino Naxos
2015 Epics of Love with Song Zuying and the China Philharmonic Orchestra[32] Stockfisch Records

The 2015 Epics of Love album was nominated for "Best Surround Sound Album" for the 2015 Grammys.

Honors and Awards

Maestro Yu has been awarded many international honors and awards including:[33]

Select Live Performances and Appearances

Personal life

Yu lives with his wife, violinist Vera Tsu, in Shanghai. He has one daughter.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Artists: Yu Long". Hong Kong Philharmonic. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  2. ↑ Barboza, David. "Excerpts of an Interview With Yu Long". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  3. ↑ Barboza, David. "Shanghai Players Arrive, Driven On by Their Titan". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Music Director: Long Yu". Wu Promotion. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  5. ↑ Daiqi, Xing. "China Philharmonic Orchestra". Global Times. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  6. ↑ Smith, Ken. "Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore". Financial Times. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Wise, Brian. "New York Philharmonic Signs Partnership With Shanghai Orchestra". WQXR. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "Long Yu Music Director". Music in the Summer Air. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  9. ↑ "Shanghai Symphony Hall". China Cultural Information. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  10. ↑ "Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Residency Partnership". New York Philharmonic. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  11. ↑ "Shanghai Symphony launches $100,000 Isaac Stern Violin Competition". The Strad. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  12. ↑ Kun, Zhang. "Shanghai alive with the sound of music". China Daily. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  13. ↑ Chou, Oliver. "Shanghai conductor appointed to No 2 spot at Hong Kong Philharmonic". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  14. ↑ "New York Philharmonic to hold Year of the Monkey Gala with Chinese composer, dancers". Asian American Press. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  15. ↑ Alrich, Alexis. "World's orchestras help ready China's apprentice players to perform". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "Maestro Long Yu yesterday on BBC World News America". Facebook. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  17. ↑ Tsioulcas, Anastasia. "Podium Diplomacy: Conductor Takes Chinese Music West And Vice Versa". NPR. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  18. ↑ Benedict XVI, Pope. "Address by His Holiness Benedict XVI at the Conclusion of the Concert Given by the China Philharmonic Orchestra". Vatican. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  19. ↑ Willey, David. "Chinese orchestra plays for Pope". BBC News. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  20. ↑ "Chinese artists perform for Pope". China.org. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  21. ↑ Tommasini, Anthony. "Let It Rain! (After the Music, of Course)". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "Alison Balsom plays Qigang Chen's "Joie Eternelle" for trumpet & orchestra at BBC Proms". YouTube. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  23. ↑ Hewett, Ivan. "BBC Proms: China Philharmonic, review: a triumph of programming". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Proms Facts". BBC. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  25. ↑ "Long Yu and the China Philharmonic Travel the Silk Road". Broadway World. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  26. ↑ Midgette, Anne. "China Philharmonic's Silk Road tour wends to Iran". Washington Post. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  27. ↑ "Shanghai Symphony Orchestra - Concert in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the UN". UN Web TV. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  28. ↑ Powell, Stephanie. "Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Performs for 70th Anniversary of United Nations and WWII". Strings. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  29. ↑ "Long Yu Albums". Naxos. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  30. ↑ "Lang Lang: Dragon Songs". Deutsche Grammophon. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  31. ↑ "Long Yu". All Music. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  32. ↑ "Song Zuying Epics Of Love". Elusive Disc. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  33. ↑ "New York Philharmonic Forms International Advisory Board". Broadway World. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  34. ↑ Lebrecht, Norman. "Chinese Power Conductor Receives Légion d'Honneur". Slipped Disc. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  35. ↑ Kwong, Kevin. "Chinese conductor Yu Long to get top honour for bridging East-West gap". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  36. ↑ "Atlantic Council Awards Honorees Urge International Cooperation to Tackle Global Challenges". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  37. ↑ "2016 Fellow and Foreign Honorary Members with their Affiliations at the Time of Election". American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  38. ↑ "The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany". Der Bundespräsident. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  39. ↑ "Long Yu". Facebook. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  40. ↑ "New York Philharmonic - Long Yu - Chinese New Year - Junqiao Tang". YouTube. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  41. ↑ "Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Maurice Ravel) - BBC Proms 2014". YouTube. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  42. ↑ "2001: A Space Odyssey : Thus spoke Zarathustra - Richard Strauss, with Long Yu and the SSO". YouTube. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  43. ↑ "Overture to Der Freischütz composed by Carl Maria von Weber". YouTube. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  44. ↑ "Long Yu". Facebook. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  45. ↑ "Shanghai Symphony Orchestra - Concert in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the UN". UN Web TV. Retrieved 28 July 2016.

External links

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