Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra (GSYO) accomplished their tour in Japan on 25 July.

Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra (GSYO) accomplished their tour in Japan on 25 July. The tour leaders included Mr. Yu Qikeng (Artistic Advisor of Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Honorary President and Artistic Advisor of GSYO), Mr. Chen Qing (President of Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra), and Ms. Chen Zhimin (Vice President of Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra). GSYO’s Music Director Ms. Jing Huan led the tour as conductor, with a program including Chen Qigang’s Five Elements and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The orchestra, along with renowned violinist Lu Siqing as soloist, also performed The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, paying homage to the 60-year-old classic in the spirit of youth.

GSYO demonstrated the infinite potential of Chinese young artists at the prestigious Suntory Hall. They also served as “Cultural Ambassador” and concertized at Acros Fukuoka Symphony Hall and Fukuoka City Public Library in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Guangzhou and Fukuoka. The tour marked the fourth international tour of GSYO, and it was Wu Promotion’s fourth time to organize concert tours for the outstanding young musicians. Together they experienced the world’s stages with diverse cultures.

At the dinner party held by the Fukuoka government to welcome the visiting group from Guangzhou, Mr. He Zhenliang, Chinese Consul General in Fukuoka, gave an official speech, in which he congratulated GSYO for their successful concerts in Japan and expressed recognition to the great significance of the visit by the young musicians, as he said, “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China, and it is the first year of Japan’s Reiwa era. Also, Sino-Japanese relations have entered a new era. It is in this new era that new diplomatic dynamics and new efforts are expected. That Guangzhou Municipal Government sent over 100 youngsters to Fukuoka is an active response to what the leaders of our both countries have called for, i.e., to further enhance the communication among young people. It is believed that the visit will help develop the friendly relationship between the two sister cities and promote the communication between China and Japan at both government and non-government levels as well as among young people.”