In recent years China has experienced a massively expanding audience for classical music, while a number of its leading young soloists have achieved immense international prominence, not least the pianists Lang Lang, Yundi Li and Yuja Wang – all also DG artists. This new signing should help further reinforce DG’s place in China’s classical music scene.
Their first album under the new partnership, due for release next year to mark the orchestra’s 140th anniversary, will feature both Chinese and Russian repertoires. This ambition to draw on both Western and Chinese culture runs as a thread throughout the statement issued this morning. ‘Shanghai’s profile as an international city, open to the world and cultural exchange, makes it the ideal place to explore fresh ideas and look at ways of bringing together the best of Chinese and western culture,’ said Long Yu. ‘We are determined to reach out to people across the world and will now be able to connect with new listeners through our recordings for the yellow label. I look forward to recording works by Chinese composers and sharing these and the wonderful artistry that the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra brings to the great symphonic repertoire with international audiences.’