Independent Arts News Reporting Beethoven in Beijing: 50th Anniversary Commemoration Event
Pictured Above: Beethoven 2017 Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin performing Beethoven’s 9th. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia, PA – To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s historic trip to China, History Making Productions will present a community screening of the award-winning documentary Beethoven in Beijing on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Michael A. Nutter Theatre of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Admission is free by registering at Eventbrite. For more information, visit www.beethoveninbeijing.com and register at https://bit.ly/BeethovenTicket.
Pictured Above: The “Fabulous Philadelphians” on their 1973 tour. Photo Credit: Contributed.
On Sept. 10, 1973, the “Fabulous Philadelphians” traveled into uncharted political and musical territory, becoming the first American orchestra to perform in the People’s Republic of China. At the time, China was isolated and suffering from the chaos of the Cultural Revolution. Even so, enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the Orchestra’s tour became everlasting.
Following the screening, Sam Katz, founder of HMP, will interview musicians who were part of the 1973 tour. Jennifer Lin, who co-directed the film with Sharon Mullally and authored a companion oral history about the tour, will join the conversation.
Pictured Above: Beethoven in Beijing Poster. Photo Credit: Contributed.
“That tour was the beginning of unparalleled cultural exchange between musicians in Philadelphia and China,” Lin says. “Our documentary celebrates an important chapter in Philadelphia’s history as well as the strong cultural ties that bind American and Chinese musicians.”
