Source: CCTV.com

03-10-2009 08:35

One of the world's most renowned conductors, Zubin Mehta, is leading the prestigious Vienna Philharmonic at two consecutive concerts at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Honored as one of the top three conductors to be born in Asia, Mehta conducted both the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic when he was still in his 20s. Now, at the age of 73, he remains one of the most energetic masters.

One of the world's most renowned conductors, Zubin Mehta, is leading the prestigious Vienna Philharmonic at two consecutive concerts at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

On Sunday night the Vienna Philharmonic presented Arnold Schoenberg's earliest important work "Transfigured Night" and Charles Strauss's "Death and Transfiguration".

Born into a Parsi family in Bombay, India, Zubin Mehta started violin and piano lessons at the age of seven, becoming a music student in Vienna at the age of 18. In 1958, he won the International Conducting Competition in Liverpool and was appointed assistant conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Despite his incredible career, he is very modest about his success.

It's the fourth time that Mehta has performed in Beijing. He made his Chinese debut in 1994, when he and the Israel Philharmonic held a free concert in the capital.

It's the fourth time that Mehta has performed in Beijing. He made his Chinese debut in 1994, when he and the Israel Philharmonic held a free concert in the capital. In 1998, he conducted Puccini's classic opera Turandot in the Forbidden City. And towards the end of 2007 he presented the new year concert with the Israel Philharmonic at the Great Hall of the People.

The concerts demonstrated how a friendship between the Indian master and Chinese audiences was established.

The Beijing concert is the fourth stop of the Vienna Philharmonic's 2009 world tour. The pieces on Monday night's program include Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 9 and Joseph Haydn's "The London Symphonies". World-renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang will also perform with Mehta on Chopin's "Piano Concerto No.2".

Editor:Zhao Yanchen