This April will see a surge of world-class symphonic performances at Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou, as three leading orchestras take the stage in five major concerts over two weeks. Spanning the Classical, Romantic, and contemporary repertoire, the series features masterpieces by nine composers, cementing the venue's position at the forefront of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's classical music scene.
A French Masterpiece in Two Nights
The return of the Orchestre de Paris after 22 years promises a refined "French sound" across two concerts on April 23 and 24. Under the baton of acclaimed conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, the program unfolds like an exquisite musical banquet, featuring works by Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Béla Bartók, and Jean Sibelius.
Highlights include Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and La Mer, Ravel's Mother Goose Suite, Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 2, and Sibelius's Symphony No. 5, alongside a specially curated presentation of Debussy's Images. Renowned French violinist Renaud Capuçon joins as soloist.
A Rising Star Meets an Asian Powerhouse
On April 26, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will return for its first collaboration with Xinghai Concert Hall this year. The concert marks the Chinese mainland debut of rising Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski, one of the most talked-about young maestros on the global stage.
The program pairs Dmitri Shostakovich's monumental Symphony No. 11—often described as cinematic and electrifying—with a violin concerto by Salonen, performed by celebrated violinist Leila Josefowicz.
Notably, this concert follows Salonen's appearance just days earlier, creating a rare "relay" moment between two Finnish conductors—an artistic dialogue across generations.
Brahms in Full: A Rare Complete Cycle
On April 22, Yu Long leads the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra alongside legendary pianist Rudolf Buchbinder in a performance of both of Johannes Brahms's piano concertos.
This rare all-in-one presentation offers audiences a chance to experience the evolution of Brahms's compositional style in a single evening. Strong demand has already made the concert one of the hottest tickets of the season.
A Maestro Returns
The month concludes on April 30 with the return of Swiss conductor Charles Dutoit, a longtime favorite at Xinghai Concert Hall. Leading the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Dutoit presents a diverse program featuring Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 "Italian", Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1, and Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2.
Young Hong Kong violinist Su Qianxun joins as soloist, adding fresh energy to a program shaped by Dutoit's signature elegance and stylistic versatility.
With top-tier orchestras, four major conductors, and a sweeping repertoire, Xinghai Concert Hall's April lineup offers a rare concentration of symphonic excellence—a must-visit destination for classical music lovers across the Greater Bay Area.
Author | Liu Lingzhi
Photo | Xinghai Concert Hall
