NCPA chamber festival set to wow

In addition to the opening concerts, Vogler will also join forces with pianist Chen Sa for a special performance at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre on May 4, where they will present the complete cycle of Beethoven's five sonatas for cello and piano.

Chamber music, often referred to as the "conversation of instruments", is one of the most intimate and intricate forms of classical music. According to celebrated violinist Lyu, artistic director of the NCPA May Festival, chamber music is a dialogue among musicians.

"In chamber music, the musicians are not just performers, but active participants in a shared interpretation of the music. They react to each other's nuances in real time," Lyu says.

"Every year, we strive to present a diverse program to demonstrate the particular beauty of chamber music. This year, we've invited a new generation of composers and performers, as well as friends like Jan Vogler to join us," he adds.

One highlight will be the premiere of The Four Seasons of China, a new composition by Wen Ziyang. Inspired by Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the piece consists of 12 movements with a duration of approximately 45 minutes.

"The 12 distinct melodies, each with its own style, evoke vivid imagery encompassing poetry, landscapes, and emotions," says Lyu, who premiered the piece last year with young musicians.

On May 4, harpsichordist Shen Fanxiu will perform at the NCPA alongside violinist Li Da, cellist Yu Jia, and soprano Zhang Zhang. A professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, Shen explains how chamber music and the harpsichord are historically intertwined. "The harpsichord was at its height during the Baroque period, and many early composers, like Bach and Handel, wrote music specifically for it. Featuring the harpsichord in a chamber music setting connects modern audiences to the roots of Western classical music.

"In a chamber setting, the harpsichord blends seamlessly with familiar instruments like strings, flute, or voice. This setting helps introduce the harpsichord to new listeners and bridges the gap for those unfamiliar with early music."

Other major performances will include a concert on May 8 at the NCPA by violinist Ning Feng and his ensemble, featuring work by Shostakovich to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the composer's death.

On May 24, Lyu's ensemble, Major Trio — including pianist Sun Yingdi, and cellist Li-Wei Qin — will appear at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre. The same evening, cellist Wang Jian will deliver a recital at the NCPA, closing the 2025 festival.