All is not lost for local classical music fans, despite the Beijing Music Festival finishing on Wednesday.

On the contrary, the Euro-Asia Philharmonic Orchestra will join popular Chinese violinist Lu Siqing to perform under the baton of the Republic of Korea (ROK) conductor Nanse Gum at Beijing's Poly Theatre on Saturday evening.

The programmes includes Max Bruch's "Violin Concerto in G Minor," Dvorak's "Eighth Symphony in G Major" and two Chinese contemporary works "My Motherland" and "Wonderful Night."

Gum is a forceful and dynamic conductor whose love and understanding for music has made him one of the most respected conductors in the ROK.

Gum made his debut at the age of 17, conducting a youth orchestra. After graduating from Seoul National University, he went to Germany in 1974 to study at the Hochschule der Kunste Berlin and later went on to study under Pierre Dervaux in Nice and Paris, France.

In 1997, he became one of the finalists in the International Young Conductor's Competition and was given an opportunity to lead the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Thereafter, he conducted the Berlin Radio Symphonic Rochester and the NDR Orchestra (Hanover Radio Symphony Orchestra).

Returning to the ROK in 1980, Gum was appointed conductor of the Korean Philharmonic Orchestra, currently known as the KBS Symphony Orchestra, and has been engaged in musical events linking the ROK and Europe.

From 1988, Gum started considering the idea of creating an orchestra encompassing musicians from the ROK and Europe, while he was staying in Germany to conduct the European Masters Orchestra.

But it was not until about mid-1998 that he finally founded the Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra, fulfilling the ambition.

Under his dynamic leadership, the orchestra has rapidly gained prominence in the national music scene through innovative educational programmes that appeal to music lovers of all ages.

China's 34-year-old Lu was the first Asian violinist to win the gold prize at the Paganini International Violin Competition in Italy in 1987.

The Italian press said Lu's rendition brought Paganini to life again.

With a clear sound, dazzling and crystalline, Lu revealed himself as a talent, a virtuoso without equal.

(China Daily November 8, 2003)