Exchange Across Borders: The Beijing Music Festival at 25

October 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Music Festival, an annual three-week event that has secured China’s eminence in the classical music world in the 21st century. Since its founding by Maestro Long Yu, the BMF has hosted top-tier ensembles, presented new and old operas (including China’s first Ring Cycle), shepherded co-commissions from China’s finest and international masters Philip Glass and Krzysztof Penderecki, and created community and outreach programs far and wide. Music critic Ken Smith discusses the impact of the festival’s quarter-century of continuous international artistic exchange with Jamie Bernstein, Du Yun and Zhou Long, all of whom have graced the festival’s stage multiple times. Shuang Zou, current Artistic Director of the BMF, will join the discussion online, and BMF 2019 Artist of the Year Zhou Tian will introduce his String Quartet No. 2 and Rhyme for solo cello, performed live by the Jasper Quartet.

Followed by a reception from 8-9:00 pm