At the age of 89, legendary conductor Zubin Mehta has brought the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra to China, giving classical music lovers a rich, emotional experience.
On Tuesday evening, the orchestra performed two monumental compositions — Beethoven's Symphony No 6 in F Major, Op 68, Pastoral, and Franz Schubert's Symphony No 9 in C Major, D 944, The Great — as part of a concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
The first half of the concert transported the audience to the tranquillity of nature, as Mehta and the orchestra performed Beethoven's Pastoral, which is a reflection of the composer's deep love for nature and the countryside.
Under Mehta's guidance, the music unfolded like a landscape, where the soft murmur of strings and woodwinds seemed to mimic the gentle rustling of leaves, and the flute echoed birdsong at dawn. Each movement was beautifully sculpted, from the calm of the opening to the stormy fury of the buildup, and finally the peace after the storm, creating a warmth that radiated through the hall.
The conductor's impeccable control of rhythm and phrasing allowed the orchestra to explore the full range of the piece's emotional palette, and the audience was carried on a journey through fields and forests.
The second half of the concert was devoted to Schubert's symphony, a piece that is both expansive and emotionally profound. Mehta led a stirring performance that showcased the piece's dynamic contrasts, juxtaposing the grandness of the brass with the elegance of the strings.
On Wednesday, the orchestra staged a concert at the NCPA that included Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 4 in F Minor, Op 36, and Sibelius' Violin Concerto, Op 47. They were accompanied by violinist Clara-Jumi Kang.
The two Beijing concerts kicked off an ongoing tour, which will run until Tuesday, visiting three more cities — Suzhou in Jiangsu province, and Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province.
Founded in 1999, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is a significant presence in the international music world.
"I am so happy to conduct the orchestra for the first time and bring it to one of my favorite countries to make music — China," says Mehta.
"I have visited China very often, with orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. I have many unforgettable experiences in China," he adds.
In 2015, Mehta and the NCPA worked together on a production of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida.
Mehta's passion for music is evident, despite his age. When asked about the secret to maintaining his energy, he says: "Despite the fact that I am nearly 90 years old, my love for music and my profession allow me to plan for at least the next five years to do concerts in Europe, America and Asia. This drive keeps me going, and I never feel that my energy is waning. My focus is on the joy and fulfillment that music brings, which transcends any physical limitations."
Mehta was born into a musical family in Mumbai, then Bombay. His father was an accomplished violinist. Mehta left India to study music in Vienna at 18. Throughout the 1960s and '70s, he conducted the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic. In the 1980s, he served as music director for the New York Philharmonic, and was named music director for life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
His connection with China, which he has toured several times, is also evident in his thoughts on returning to the country. His collaboration with film director Zhang Yimou on Puccini's Turandot at the Forbidden City in 1998 was a phenomenon.
"My love of coming to China is endless. I have performed here many times, and I always find the audience incredibly receptive and passionate. After this tour, I look forward to continuing my performances in both Europe and Asia, always seeking to share the power of music with the world," the conductor says.
