10-hour 'symphony marathon' celebrates 20th anniversary of Beijing Music Festival

A 10-hour 'symphony marathon' marked the 20th anniversary of Beijing International Music Festival in Beijing on Oct 14. Directed by three generations of conductors, nine Chinese orchestras played 28 domestic and foreign classic works nonstop for 10 hours.

Launched in 1998, Beijing Music Festival has witnessed the development of symphony in China in the past two decades.

"Young Musician Award" was the highlight of the 20th music festival. The first winner of the award was young violinist Liu Ming.

The climax of the "marathon" was the performance given by "Festival Orchestra". Though founded just couple of days ago, the orchestra, which fully deserved the title of “best orchestra” in China, included concertmasters and associate concertmasters from different orchestras.

Beijing Music Festival has become a name card of Beijing's culture and art as well as the most international and professional feast of classical music in China or even in Asia. While promoting Western classical music to Chinese audiences, the festival has also successfully spread the essence of Chinese music to the world.