Shenzhen Symphony Announces First Japan Tour

The Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra will make its long-awaited Japan debut this November under the baton of Lin Da-Ye, its music director since 2016. The orchestra will perform in Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall on 4 November 2025 and Kyoto Concert Hall on 8 November 2025, presenting programmes that celebrate both Chinese creativity and global expression.

This Japan tour marks a milestone in the orchestra’s international journey. Originally planned for 2020 but postponed by the pandemic, it now comes to fruition five years later, bringing the vitality of one of China’s most dynamic cities to Japanese audiences.

A Rising Force from a City of Innovation

Founded in 1982, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra has grown in step with the remarkable rise of Shenzhen itself, a city transformed from a fishing village into a global hub for high-tech, finance, and design. As home to many of China’s most innovative companies like Huawei, Tencent and ZTE, Shenzhen has also become a model for how economic growth can go hand in hand with artistic and cultural investment. The orchestra is a proud part of that vision: a full-scale professional ensemble committed to excellence, openness, and creative dialogue with the world.

Artists

The tour will be conducted by Lin Da-Ye, winner of the Scholté International Conducting Competition, who has led the Shenzhen Symphony since 2016. Under his direction, the orchestra has developed a distinctive sound marked by precision, warmth, and a cosmopolitan outlook.

The featured soloists include violinist Ning Feng, one of China’s leading international artists and laureate of the Paganini International Violin Competition, and harpist Kazuko Shinozaki, a resident artist of the Shenzhen Symphony known for her refined artistry and deep connection with the ensemble.

Programme

Each concert will present a carefully curated programme reflecting the orchestra’s cultural breadth and artistic vision:

• Wang Danhong: Southern Radiance — A vivid contemporary work inspired by the colours and rhythms of southern China.

• Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major — Performed by Ning Feng, bringing elegance and emotional depth to one of the cornerstones of the classical repertoire.

• Toru Takemitsu: To the Sea II — A lyrical modern classic by Japan’s most celebrated composer, featuring harpist Kazuko Shinozaki.

• Respighi: Pines of Rome — A symphonic showcase of grandeur and orchestral brilliance to conclude the programme.

A Cultural Dialogue

The Shenzhen Symphony’s first Japan appearance is more than a concert tour, it is a dialogue between two dynamic cultural centres. The inclusion of works by both Chinese and Japanese composers reflects a shared belief in music’s ability to transcend borders and traditions.

From its home city known for technological innovation and forward-thinking energy, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra brings a message of openness, creativity, and friendship. Its Japan tour stands as a symbol of the cultural confidence and international outlook of a new generation of Chinese orchestras.

Concert Dates and Venues:

• Tokyo — 4 November 2025 (Tuesday), 19:00, Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall

• Kyoto — 8 November 2025 (Saturday), 14:30, Kyoto Concert Hall