The China Philharmonic Orchestra announced its 2026/2027 season on September 15. 

Running from September 19, 2026, to June 26, 2027, the season will feature 19 performances bringing together leading musicians and emerging talents from China and abroad. Repertoire spanning the Baroque era to the present day will showcase the rich traditions and diversity of symphonic music. Reflecting the artistic ambitions and cultural responsibilities of a national orchestra, the season will preserve the classical tradition, support Chinese musical talent and expand international artistic collaboration. Through high-quality performances, the orchestra aims to enrich audiences’ cultural lives and encourage understanding and connection through musical exchange.

Connecting the classics with today’s audiences has been a central consideration in planning the season. From memories of home in ancient epics to echoes of history in 20th-century symphonies, and from contemporary interpretations of traditional Chinese melodies to the inspiration cultures draw from one another, thematic programmes will guide listeners towards the emotions and ideas behind the music. The concerts will explore both the works’ place in music history and the qualities that allow them to transcend time and continue to move audiences today.

Collaborations between Chinese and international musicians will be among the season’s highlights. Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Long Yu will lead several major performances, while Chinese conductors Shao-Chia Lü, Feng Yu, Jiemin Zhang, Chen Lin, Huang Yi and Ji Yu will each present distinctive programmes. International guest conductors include Sylvain Cambreling, Claus Peter Flor, Gustav Kuhn and Andris Poga, who will bring their varied artistic experiences and musical perspectives to the orchestra’s exploration of the classical repertoire.

The roster of instrumental soloists and singers is equally distinguished. Chinese artists active on stages at home and abroad, including Jian Wang, Siqing Lu, Paul Huang, Weigang Li, Honggang Li, Meng-Chieh Liu, Zee Zee and Nancy Zhou, will collaborate with the orchestra. International stars including Fazıl Say, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Bertrand Chamayou, Leonidas Kavakos, Alban Gerhardt, Emmanuel Pahud and Matthias Goerne will bring the musical interpretations they have developed over many years. Encounters between different performing traditions and artistic personalities will sustain a dialogue throughout the season.

On May 25, 2027, the China Philharmonic Orchestra will give a special concert marking the 27th anniversary of its founding. For an orchestra with more than two decades of history, each season connects its accumulated experience with new artistic exploration.

Drawing strength from the classics and broadening its horizons through exchange, the China Philharmonic Orchestra will continue to work with Chinese and international artists throughout the 2026/2027 season. Through dedicated artistic practice and an openness to mutual learning between cultures, it will carry forward the beauty of music, inviting audiences to experience the emotion, ideas and warmth that symphonic music brings to contemporary life.