Mozart takes center stage at NCPA May Festival

Every spring, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing presents a grand celebration of chamber music — its annual NCPA May Festival.

Running until May 24, the festival is showcasing a diverse array of performances including new works, international ensembles, and the multifaceted forms of chamber music.

This year's festival is especially significant as it marks the 270th anniversary of the birth of Mozart. His works are being featured throughout the event, including at the opening concert last Friday.

Titled Bows and Strings VI, the concert saw an impressive ensemble of 10 distinguished artists, including renowned violinist Lyu Siqing, cellist Li-Wei Qin and clarinetist Wang Tao, joining forces with the China NCPA Orchestra under the baton of resident conductor Lai Jiajing.

Together, they performed several of Mozart's iconic masterpieces, including a groundbreaking version of his Serenade in C Major, K 648, newly adapted to include brass instruments and piano, which is a departure from traditional string arrangements. Referred to as "A Very Little Night Music", the serenade for two violins and bass is a previously unknown piece. Composed by Mozart when he was in his early teens, the piece dates back to the mid-to-late 1760s and consists of seven miniature movements for a string trio.

"This sense of collaboration and artistic exploration is at the heart of the NCPA May Festival, making it one of the most anticipated musical events of the year in China and beyond," said Lyu, the NCPA May Festival's artistic director, at the NCPA in Beijing on April 15. "With a diverse and star-studded lineup, the 2026 festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music, talent, and cultural exchange."

Beyond the opening concert, Lyu, who is also a leading performer at the festival, is presenting several more performances. On Monday, he collaborated with cellist Qin and pianist Chen Sa as a trio in a chamber music concert titled Dawn and Echo in Vienna, with music pieces such as Mozart's Piano Trio in B-flat Major, K 502 and Franz Schubert's Piano Trio No 2 in E-flat Major, Op 100 (D 929).

Then, on May 21, he will take the stage again with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in a symphonic performance, paying tribute to the grandeur of classical music with pieces including Tchaikovsky's Polonaise, an excerpt from Eugene Onegin, Act 3, Scene 1, Op 24, and Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op 47.

The festival will also feature an outstanding lineup of international and Chinese soloists, including violinist Ning Feng, pianist Zhang Haochen, and renowned ensembles such as the Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet, Cappella Andrea Barca, the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, and the Hong Kong String Orchestra.

A highlight of the festival will be the performance by violinist Ning and his mentor, the esteemed German musician Antje Weithaas, who will perform alongside I Musici, which was founded in 1951 in Rome, Italy, and is one of the oldest active chamber music groups in the world. The duo will also join forces with the China NCPA Orchestra and conductor Lyu Jia for a performance of Mozart's Symphony No 36 in C Major, K 425 (Linz) on May 15, where Ning will take on the viola part, bridging the gap between violin and viola in a fascinating crossover.

For those who appreciate the richness of European chamber music, the festival offers an exciting opportunity to experience the Kodaly Quartet's 60th anniversary celebration, showcasing the unique flavors of Hungarian chamber music.

The Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra will bring a poetic touch to the festival with its program, embodying the exquisite aesthetics of European chamber music. Additionally, the China NCPA Orchestra will collaborate with pianist Zhang Haochen in a unique fusion of works by composer Chen Qigang and Mozart.

The festival will close with a touch of jazz featuring the legendary Grammy winner Kurt Elling, one of the world's foremost jazz vocalists.

Cellist Qin, who has participated in previous editions of the NCPA May Festival, underscored the significance of chamber music in a recent interview. He highlighted how chamber music offers a unique opportunity for musicians to express their artistry beyond solo performances.

"In chamber music, the cello often plays the 'heartbeat' role, providing rhythmic support," he said at the NCPA in Beijing on April 15. "At first, this may seem monotonous or even boring, but as I gained more experience, I came to appreciate the flexibility of chamber music, the way it allows multiple musicians to combine their voices into a rich, multilayered performance. It's like being both a lead character and a supporting role in a film, and that complexity brings something special to the audience."

In keeping with its community engagement, the festival will once again feature its public performances, bringing music into the heart of the city. These concerts will reach audiences in urban spaces, such as factories, campuses and public areas, providing an opportunity for frontline workers and local residents to experience the joy and warmth of music.