The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Chinese conductor Long Yu have signed to Deutsche Grammophon.
The orchestra will make its debut on its new label in 2019 with an album of Chinese and Russian works, which will mark the organization’s 140th anniversary and celebrate its status as China’s earliest symphony orchestra.
Along with new albums, Deutsche Grammophon will also release earlier recordings from the orchestra’s existing catalogue.
“Shanghai’s profile as an international city, open to the world and cultural exchange, makes it the ideal place to explore fresh ideas and look at ways of bringing together the best of Chinese and western culture,” said Long Yu who has been the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra’s musical director for the last decade. “This is why it’s such an exciting moment for us to join Deutsche Grammophon’s global family of artists. We are determined to reach out to people across the world and will now be able to connect with new listeners through our recordings for the yellow label. I look forward to recording works by Chinese composers and sharing these and the wonderful artistry that the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra brings to the great symphonic repertoire with international audiences.”
In addition to his role in Shanghai, Yu – who studied in Berlin earlier in his career – is also artistic director of the China Philharmonic Orchestra and the Beijing Music Festival, which he founded in 1988, music director of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, co-director of MISA Shanghai Summer Festival and principal guest conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
“I am excited about the new partnership. We will collaborate with these leading and inspiring musicians and institutions in the world’s most vibrant classical music environment,” said Dr Clemens Trautmann, president Deutsche Grammophon, as he welcomed Yu and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra to the label. “The artistic work Long Yu has accomplished with the Shanghai Symphony in the last decade is truly remarkable. It is reflected today in his high-profile international engagements and in the orchestra’s impressive touring schedule, including its debut at last year’s Lucerne Summer Festival. The recordings will help draw global attention to the outstanding musicianship of Long Yu and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and foster the already significant profile of Deutsche Grammophon in China.”
