DG boxes up China’s all-powerul conductor
OrchestrasThe yellow label has issued a six-CD box of performances by Long Yu, China’s most powerful conductor.
Long Yu is artistic director and chief conductor of the China Philharmonic and of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He is also music director of the Guangzhou Symphony and principal guest conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Yu also chairs the artistic committee of the Beijing Music Festival. Not most powerful: all-powerful.
The pianist Lang Lang has issued this tribute: ‘He consistently maintains a forward-thinking insight into cultural realms and the world, enabling him to always be at the forefront of music and art, contemplating the future and keenly capturing the direction of classical music’s evolution. In the presence of such an artist full of thoughts and execution, I have always benefited immensely and been inspired and motivated by his spirit.’
Just curious who DG thinks the market for this box set is. One assumes it’s Chinese music lovers since I’m not aware that he is well known to Western audiences, though maybe I’m mistaken.
It’s probably for Yu’s friends and family to buy. Otherwise, who would in their sound mind want to display these CDs on their shelves?
I’ve spent a lot of time in China. Signs that purport to be in English abound, and misspelled words are common. But jeez…Long Yu and his FRIEDNS?
Took the words right off of my keyboard.
Long Yu is certainly “all powerful” in China, but he gave up the Guangzhou Orchestra a couple of seasons or so ago. Huang Yi is now the MD. Huang is also Resident Conductor of the China Philharmonic in Beijing working alongside MD Long Yu. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Huang Yi is Long Yu’s nephew, but can find no reliable source for that.
I know of Chinese fans who do not go to any concerts conducted by Yu Long, even if Mahler’s third symphony is on the programme