SHENZHEN
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
1982Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SSO) was founded in 1982 with the support of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and has grown into one of China’s finest professional orchestras after more than 30 years of explorations and efforts. The orchestra has since distinguished itself as having a high level of excellence and a rising international profile.
1987The orchestra has toured regularly around China since 1987, making stops in many cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. On the international stage, it has toured in over four continents, spanning countries such as the United States, Canada, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Korea, Thailand and other cities and has received international acclaims.
1994Since 1994, the orchestra has participated in major festivals including the 4thChina Art Festival, China-International Piano Concerto Competition, China Conducting Competition Concert, Beijing Modern Music Festival, Turkey Istanbul Music Festival, Izmir Music Festival, Ankala Music Festival, Mittelfest, Ravello Wagner Music Festival, Bellini Music Festival, French Dinar Music Festival and 1stWorld Buddhism Symposium.
1997They have also been involved in many events on the CCTV. In 1997, they were invited to Europe and were the first orchestra from China to perform at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall and Smetana Concert Hall in the Czech Republic.
2007In 2007, they were also the first orchestra from Asia to perform at the Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides in Paris.
2013In 2013, the orchestra was invited by UNESCO to perform the Confucian Symphony” Ode to Humanity” at the UNESCO Headquarters City Hall.
2016In 2016, the orchestra has received international acclaims for the Chinese New Year Celebration performances in the United States and Canada. “Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra implacable grandeur performance could have graced the pit of any regional opera house in the United States or Europe” by the Washington Post
Throughout the years, the orchestra has cultivated long lasting collaborations with great conductors and soloists such as Lv Qiming, Chen Gang, Tan Dun, Ye Xiaogang, Tang Jianping; conductors such as Li Delun, Huang Xiaotong, Chen Bianyang, Tang Muhai, including renowned international conductors such as Kirill Petrenko, Daniel Oren, Edvard Tchivzhel, Guido Johannes Rumstadt, Lior Shambadal, Husco, Michael Foster and Smart. The orchestra has also performed works by famous composers like Wang Ning, Eric Kunzel; and has featured soloists such as Lang Lang, Li Yundi, Chen Sa, Wang Jian, Qin Liwei, Qian Zhou, Lv Siqing, Ning Feng, Chen Xi, Zhu Dan, Zuo Zhang, Arto Noras, Oxana Yablonskaya, Kun Woo Paik, Antje, Weithaas, Midori and Diana Tishchenko as well as famous singers, Dai Yuqiang, Liao Changyong, Song Zuying, Zhang Liping, Dilber Yunus , Yin Xiumei, He Hui, Jose Carreras, Carlow Struly among others.
On the home front, the orchestra has focused on actively supporting the works of local composers. Noteworthy pieces are the premieres of the Choral Symphony “Ode to Humanity”, “Symphonic Folksongs, Hakka Rhyme” and “Harmony of the Divine Land” which have received critical acclaims from professional musicians, audiences and the media. The orchestra is passionate about supporting the Shenzhen local symphonies. They also perform the works of local composers and promote the culture of Shenzhen annually.
“Being the finest orchestra, performing a public service, and bringing over elegant music into the society” is the motto of the orchestra. Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra aims to propagate and promote music literacy in Shenzhen. The orchestra also hopes to enhance their reputation both in China and abroad with a wide range of repertoire and the cultural awareness of Shenzhen.