On November 4, the final note of Respighi's "Pines of Rome" at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall was met with thunderous applause, marking the culmination of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra's (SZSO) long-awaited Japanese debut. The tour—covering Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kyoto—offered more than concerts; it was a dialogue between cultures.
The program traced a musical journey across time and geography: from the lyrical Lingnan rhythms of Wang Danhong and the refined sensibilities of Toru Takemitsu to the universal resonance of Beethoven and the majestic power of Respighi. For Music Director Lin Daye, performing in Japan—home to one of Asia's most discerning classical audiences—was "a true test of artistry." Recognition here, he noted, signals SZSO's shift "from going global to integrating into the international artistic dialogue."
Evolving from a "showcase" to a "dialogue," the 2025 tour reflected five years of reflection and renewal. In Nagoya, SZSO will collaborate with young Japanese artists, including conductor Ayumi Endo, reaffirming its belief that artistic exchange is not a one-way street but "mutual nourishment."
Reporter | Cai Minling
Photo | Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra
Editor | Ouyang Yan, Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
