As the world steadily recovers from the ravages of the global pandemic, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NY Phil), one of the United States’ preeminent orchestras and the country’s oldest continually operating major symphony, has taken a monumental step towards revitalizing the international arts scene with a tour to Asia. This marked their first visit to the region in four years. The orchestra’s performances spanned across a number of cities including Hong Kong, Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Shanghai. This journey served not only as a cultural exchange, but also as a beacon of hope signifying the resurgence of the global arts community.
At the helm of the NY Phil, president and CEO Gary Ginstling voiced his views on the significance of this tour. The past few years, he noted, have been particularly harsh for the performing arts, but the NY Phil’s tour across Asia stands as testament to the resilience and recovery of the global arts community. The orchestra’s presence in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Hong Kong, and Shanghai allowed for the sharing of the NY Phil’s unparalleled performances with audiences across the Pacific, an experience both parties found extremely rewarding.
Throughout their Asian tour, the orchestra was under the skillful guidance of Jaap van Zweden, the NY Phil’s Music Director. He conducted the orchestra at shows in Hong Kong, Taipei and Kaohsiung, enthralling audiences with symphonies by renowned composers such as Beethoven, Dvořák, and Tchaikovsky. Despite constantly introducing new music and hosting world premieres each season at their home base, David Geffen Hall, van Zweden pointed out the everlasting resonance of classic pieces with global audiences.
Ginstling reiterated the vital role of touring in building global connections through music. The orchestra’s mission, he explained, encompasses more than just making music. It’s about encouraging a broader understanding of the world, nurturing cultural exchange, and reminding people of music’s power to bring them together. He emphasized the importance of the NY Phil acting as a cultural ambassador, a role they fulfill through performances around the world, supporting the creation of new works, and fostering partnerships like the one with the Shanghai Orchestra Academy (SOA).
The SOA, established in 2014, is a joint initiative of the NY Phil and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. It offers a rigorous two-year, post-graduate training program for orchestral musicians at the master’s degree level. The SOA students have previously performed with the NY Phil at their Concert in the Parks series in New York City.
This visit marked the first in-person interaction between NY Phil musicians and SOA students since the onset of the pandemic in 2019. Ginstling emphasized the significance of this collaboration in fostering the next generation of musicians, which is crucial for the thriving arts community. It was a heartfelt reunion in Shanghai this year, but Ginstling hopes that the next visit will feature the full orchestra, creating an even more enriching cultural and musical exchange.
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