Chinese musician leads Haifa Orchestra

The renowned Chinese musician Xu Zhong has joined forces with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra. Xu, an established conductor and pianist, made his first appearance on Sunday at the Haifa concert hall.

The renowned Chinese musician Xu Zhong has joined forces with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra. Xu, an established conductor and pianist, made his first appearance on Sunday at the Haifa concert hall. 

Xu Zhong is bringing his energy and passion for music to the Haifa music scene. The Shanghai-based musician, regarded as one of the top conductors in Asia, will spend a year in the coastal Israeli city. Xu has worked with a number of orchestras around the world and says he is impressed by his reception in Israel.

"When you're conducting an orchestra, you need a very strong...when you give something you need some reply, and the reply was very strong, this is make me make my decision to take it." Xu said.

Xu's artful rendition of classics like The Knight of the Rose by Richard Strauss and Variations on a Rococo theme capture the hearts of the audience.

The Haifa Symphony Orchestra is the second largest symphony orchestra in Israel, and their makeup is already very international.

"We have the largest Russian musician inside the orchestra, this also, we can also find some very attractive sound from them, this also attract me very much." Xu said.

Xu will be based for a year in the city, while a joint musical venture between China and Israel will establish an international orchestra. It is likely to include 30 Chinese and 30 Israeli musicians and Xu will lead them in performing concerts around the world. So look out for them in a concert near you.