Chinese pipa player Wu Man and French cellist Gautier Capucon are touring with the NCPA Orchestra in North America. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"In terms of music language, it has a very strong Chinese color, whereas the theme borrows from the traditional European concerto form. I hope this violin concerto can speak to the world in a Chinese voice," said Zhao in an early interview.

The other highlights of the tour repertoires will include Chen's Reflet d'un Temps Disparu for cello and orchestra, Jean Sibelius' Symphony No 2 in D Major, Op 43 and Johannes Brahms' Symphony No 4 in E Minor, Op 98.

"The NCPA Orchestra is young and dynamic. The average age of musicians is about 30," says Lyu, the conductor.

Lyu was born in Shanghai, graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and won the Golden Prize and Favorite Conductor Award in the international conducting competition, Antonio Pedrotti, in Trento, Italy, in 1988.

In 1991, he was appointed as the chief conductor of the Italian opera house, Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, making him not only the opera house's first chief conductor from Asia, but also its youngest.

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Center for the Performing Arts. During the past decade, NCPA has witnessed and promoted the development of classical music scene in China. The NCPA Orchestra also has grown into one of the best orchestras in China," says Lyu.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn