Praised as "The Orchestral Pearl of the Capital of China," the Beijing Symphony Orchestra (BSO) was established in October 1977 and is a focal point of musical art, performance and culture in China today. The BSO has known worldwide for its impeccable standards, as well as for the depth of its western and Chinese repertoire. The BSO is the Resident Orchestra of the Forbidden City Concert Hall, Beijing. As observers, participants and creators of the musical culture of Beijing, the BSO has evolved in parallel with the pace of China's Reform and Opening-up. Thus, the BSO has grown and matured hand-in-hand with modern Beijing. With its high professional standards combined with a deep passion for the art of music, the BSO has become a pacemaker for the rise and development of serious music in China.

 

 

Since 2001, the BSO has been invited to perform in many countries, including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Serbia, South Slovenia, and South Korea. In the years 2001, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012, the BSO completed six highly successful European tours. Critics throughout Europe spoke highly and wrote well of these tours. In Germany, for example, the Suddentsche Zeitung praised the both excellence of the BSO's performance as well as Maestro Tan's conducting. 

 

The BSO maintains a deep commitment to music education and the popularization of classical and symphonic music. The BSO's outreach programmes to universities, schools, communities, and factories have reached out to enlighten, educate and inform more than a combined audience of over million new listeners during the past 20 years.