The China National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) is a national orchestra established from the former Central Orchestra (founded in 1956) with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China in 1996. Directly subordinated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, it consists of three art production units - the symphony orchestra, chorus and Beijing Concert Hall.

 

 

CNSO’s present Director is ZHANG Yi, Artistic Consultants WU Zuqiang and HAN Zhongjie, Honourary Artistic Director TAN Dun, Chief Conductor LI Xincao, Honorary Conductor TANG Muhai, Chief Guest Conductor SHAO En, Specially Invited Conductor CHEN Xieyang and First Violinist ZHAO Kunyu.

 

 

The CNSO bears strong performing techniques and artistic culture, as well as excels at a broad range of musical works. Apart from a huge amount of repertoire of the western classic works, the orchestra also has convincing capabilities to interpret new music pieces created by modern composers. The CNSO has delivered concert-based operas composed by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Wagner, Puccini, and Richard Strauss.

 

 

Meanwhile, the CNSO also pays high attention to the creation and promotion of Chinese music works.

 

Apart from delivering great performances to Chinese audiences, the orchestra has also visited major countries and regions in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Western audiences marvel that “in the hereditary kingdom of the symphony, a new member has undoubtedly emerged.” The concerts of “2010 World Symphony Orchestra Music Festival”, “2013 Asia Orchestra Art Festival” and “2015 Asia Orchestra Art Week (Tokyo)” have all been inscribed with the sounds of the CNSO.