December 17 will be a night of musical firsts, as world-renowned pianist Mikhail Pletnev arrives in Beijing to give a concert in co-operation with the newly formed China Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO).

Neither Pletnev nor the CPO have ever performed on a Beijing stage before.
Critics and audiences regard Pletnev as one of the greatest pianists of our time. He has been repeatedly recognized for his impeccable musicianship, stylistic versatility and commanding technique.

Born in Archangel, Russia, Pletnev displayed exceptional musical talent at an early age. Growing up in Kazan, he transferred to the Central School of Music at the age of 13 and entered the Moscow Conservatory in 1974, studying under Jakob Flier and Lev Vlasenko.

When he was 21, Pletnev earned early international recognition when he won first prize at the 1978 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow.
He performs frequently as soloist, and also as a recitalist with some of the most celebrated orchestras and conductors, in many countries and at major festivals in Europe and Asia, as well as in his native Russia.

As a regular guest of London's Philharmonic Orchestra, Pletnev performed with Slatkin and Ashkenazy in 1999 and received rave reviews for his May 2000 performances of Tchaikovsky's complete works for piano and orchestra under Vladimir Conta.

His recordings and live performances as a pianist have proved him to be an outstanding interpreter of an extensive repertoire. His unrivalled transcriptions for piano of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" and "Sleeping Beauty" were selected, along with his performance of Tchaikovsky's Second Piano Concerto and the Seasons, for the 1998 anthology "Great Pianists of the 20th Century."

Attracted by Pletnev's reputation and his vision of a new model for the performing arts in Russia, many of the finest musicians in his home country joined him in launching the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) in 1990.

Under his artistic leadership as music director and principal conductor, the RNO has, in less than a decade, become known as one of the world's leading orchestras.

For his Beijing appearance, Pletnev will join with CPO, a new ensemble made up mostly of members from the former China Broadcast Symphony Orchestra six months ago.

As one of the largest orchestras in the country, the China Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra successfully presented numerous concerts of both Chinese and foreign classics before it was restructured.

The transformation of the China Broadcast Symphony Orchestra into the CPO has drawn attention in the country and won substantial support from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

By hiring top Chinese conductors and inviting the participation of musicians from around the world, CPO could develop into a first-rate orchestra, according to CPO's artistic director Yu Long.

In late November, the orchestra released two CDs in collaboration with Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, a company that enjoys a reputation as "the most famous brand of global classical recordings." It is the first time in the company's century-long history that it has helped record a Chinese symphony orchestra.

The programme of Pletnev's premiere concert consists of Richard Wagner's Overture to Tannhauser, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No 1 and Brahms' Piano Quartet in G minor.

In addition, CPO will present three pieces for orchestra from "Chinese Airs" by Chinese composer Bao Yuankai, including "Passing through the Great Wall," "The Flowing Stream," and "Guess What the Flower Is."
Artistic Director Yu will conduct the CPO's first concert.

Xiong Shengmin, the CPO's managing director, believes the orchestra's debut will prove the outfit is worthy of its name and capable of living up to the expectations of music lovers and critics.

After its debut concert, the China Philharmonic Orchestra will start rehearsal for its New Year concerts on December 31 and January 1, 2001, which will be broadcast by China Central Television.

(China Daily 12/11/2000)