The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Neeme Järvi, delivered a captivating performance at the Grand Theater in Weifang, and successfully held its second concert as part of the tour in China (on November 12th). For the second concert of the China Tour, clarinet soloist Tony Shen joined the orchestra, and the repertoire featured compositions by Verdi, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky.
At the second stop on its tour in China, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra was once again greeted with ovations at the Weifang Grand Theater. The evening opened with Verdi’s overture from the opera The Force of Destiny (La Forza del Destino), followed by Tony Shen’s performance of Mozart’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra. The talent of the young clarinetist was discovered by Zubin Mehta, thanks to whom his career began. This American disciple of Chinese origin has already showcased his skills in numerous concerts with prominent world orchestras, in addition to regular performances with Chinese ensembles.
The finale of the Philharmonic’s performance in Weifang was reached with Tchaikovsky on the repertoire and his Symphony No. 4, a cherished favorite among philharmonics, earning the orchestra a resounding ovation. Much like on the previous concert in Xi’an, the audience fervently called for an encore from conductor Järvi and the orchestra, prompting it to perform three additional pieces again. With the very first notes of the beloved Chinese song My Homeland, the audience reacted in now anticipated manner, joining in a sing-along and rewarding the performance with applause and standing ovations. Judging by the first two concerts, Grlica (The Swallow) by Stevan Hristic, another piece on the Orchestra’s repertoire, promises to become a standout hit that’s causing a burst of reactions from the Chinese audience throughout the remainder of the Philharmonic’s tour.
The remarkable synergy between masterful Neeme Järvi and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra is palpable not just at concerts during performances but also in every rehearsal throughout the tour. This joint success is particularly pleasing to Zubin Mehta, who is closely monitoring the tour, and who expressed his well-wishes in in a video message, extending congratulations on a successful start and wishing everyone good luck at the upcoming concert in Beijing:
I heard about the brilliant success after the first concert, and I am very pleased that everything is going so well. I deeply regret not being there with all of you. May God bless you all, Mehta conveyed.
Like in Xi’an, the concert of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra in Weifang was attended by the city leaders and representatives of the Municipal Office for Culture and Tourism. The Philharmonic Orchestra now sets its sights on Beijing, anticipating a significant milestone – a performance in one of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, the National Center for the Performing Arts, where it will perform together with violinist Giovanni Zannon.
