With the magnificent view of the Pearl River and the Canton Tower as the backdrop, a live concert featuring Bach's music was being staged by a symphony orchestra at the Ersha Island Art Park in Guangzhou between 2:45 pm and 3:45 pm on Janauary 16th.

Yo-Yo Ma (M) works with both the YMCG musicians and the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra to present Bach pieces at the Ersha Island Art Park in Guangzhou. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Yo-Yo Ma (R) shakes hands with local residents at the Ersha Island Art Park in Guangzhou. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

A large group of passersby, men and women, old and young, were attracted by the performance. They were immersed in the beautiful classical music, giving thunderous rounds of applause after the show, and asked for "one more, one more".

It turned out the performance was presented by the prestigious cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the musicians of the 2020 Youth Music Culture Guangdong (YMCG) and the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Yo-Yo Ma presents Bach's music at the Canton Tower in Guangzhou. [Photo: Nanfang Daily/Li Xihua]

YMCG musicians and the Guangzhou Symphony Youth Orchestra perform Bach at the Canton Tower in Guangzhou. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Together with the young musicians from both China and abroad, Yo-Yo Ma staged six flash mob style performances in six different venues around downtown Guangzhou, including the Canton Tower, Ersha and Shamian Islands, and the Cantonese Opera Art Museum on the afternoons of January 16th and 17th, playing Bach for local residents.

The 2020 YMCG is already underway running from January 10th to 18th, with Bach being performed by maestros and young musicians from around the world.

Yo-Yo Ma plays the cello at the Zhixin High School in Guangzhou. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Yo-Yo Ma (L) shakes hands with young musicians at the Zhixin High School in Guangzhou. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

The event is attended by world-class musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma and the established conductor Michael Stern, as well as 69 young musicians selected from hundreds of applicants from around the globe. Bach's music features throughout the rehearsals, concerts, salons and other events at the 2020 YMCG.

The 2020 YMCG is being hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, organized by both the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra (GSO) and Xinghai Concert Hall, and led by Artistic Director Yo-Yo Ma, Artistic Committee Chairman Long Yu, and Music Director Michael Stern.

The opening concert of the 2020 YMCG. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Young musicians take a selfie during the 2020 YMCG. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Click here to read more about the 2020 YMCG.

Author | Monica

Editor | Olivia