From Mao to Mozart: The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 80-year relationship with China
Listen 12:50
The Philadelphia Orchestra Group was welcomed by the Chinese audience as it gave a concert in Peking on Sept. 14, 1973. (AP Photo/Hsinhua News Agency)
Despite the U.S. and China’s complex and often tense relationship, The Philadelphia Orchestra has a longstanding relationship with China dating back to the 1940s. Nearly 80 years later, why does the orchestra still occupy such a special place in Chinese culture? On this episode of The Why, Jennifer Lin, producer of the upcoming documentary “Beethoven in Bejing,” explains the history of this unlikely relationship.
Brought to you by The Why
The Why
There’s more to every story if you take the time to tell it.
Philadelphia Orchestra has new collaborator: artificial intelligence
A white monolith shares the stage with the Orchestra, exploding with 3D imagery generated in real time by an AI classical music lover.
6 months ago
Johaug wins 1st gold medal of Beijing Olympics in skiathlon
Johaug has won 10 world championship titles but had never before won an individual Olympic gold medal.
8 months ago
Cranes, bicycles, and Beethoven’s 6th: Philadelphia Orchestra remembers 1973 in Beijing
Reporters from Chinese media invited to Philadelphia, ask the Orchestra about U.S-China relations, and what China was like back during their first visit.
3 years ago