Future melodies in ancient keys

Since its founding in 1998, the festival has prioritized Chinese composers, and this year continues that tradition with works by established and emerging talents.

One of the most anticipated pieces is The Ocean Etched in the Forest by Du Yun, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for Angel's Bone in 2017.

Co-directed with Julian Crouch, the production involves artists from the Jino ethnic group in Yunnan province, including He Guiying, an inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage Jino drum dance.

The inheritor has been recording the Jino ethnic group's children as they perform nearly forgotten local folk songs, which are interwoven with music from the American band, OK Miss, featuring Du. The result is an original musical tapestry that transcends time, geography, and generations, blending ancient traditions with contemporary innovations.

During the performance of the Beijing Music Festival on Oct 12, children from the Jino ethnic group will perform with the musicians, which was commissioned by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Beijing Music Festival.

"This means that the traditional music of China's ethnic groups will reach audiences worldwide through international collaboration," says Zou.

"Tradition is not static; these cultural treasures should be reactivated on today's stage, bringing new energy and vitality."

Another highlight is the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor John Storgards performing Huang Ruo's new symphonic work City of Floating Sounds on Oct 20. Huang is known for his distinctive orchestral piece that blends Chinese folk music with Western avant-garde music. The performance is paired with an immersive "city exploration" experience, inviting audiences to traverse Beijing while interacting with the music via a bespoke mobile app, blending auditory, visual, and spatial elements.

Opera lovers will be treated to two iconic works spanning over two centuries: the concert version of George Frideric Handel's Rinaldo and Alban Berg's Wozzeck. The latter will be staged on Oct 18 as its China premiere, continuing the Beijing Music Festival's legacy of bringing cutting-edge opera to Chinese audiences.