This Sunday evening, the nearly 90-year-old maestro Zubin Mehta will return to the Shenzhen Concert Hall for the third time, leading violinist Clara-Jumi Kang and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in concert.

Mehta, who previously delivered unforgettable performances during the venue’s inaugural season in 2007 and at a New Year’s concert in 2013, continues to shine on the international stage at 89. This concert will feature Weber’s “Oberon Overture,” Sibelius’ “Violin Concerto in D Minor,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4 in F Minor.”

Zubin Mehta. Photo by Marco Brescia

The evening will open with Weber’s enchanting overture, a romantic fairy tale brought to life through golden horn calls and imaginative melodies. Sibelius’ evocative violin concerto will follow, transporting listeners to a rich, colorful soundscape that blends moments of solitude, fiery passion, and lyrical tenderness. 

The second half will showcase Tchaikovsky’s dramatic fourth symphony, weaving serene joy with stark intensity and folk-inspired motifs to create a grand, sweeping narrative.

The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. Photo by Monika-Rittershaus

A household name in classical music, Mehta is celebrated for his groundbreaking achievements, including becoming the youngest conductor to lead the Vienna Philharmonic in 1961, conducting the Vienna New Year’s Concert five times, and orchestrating the historic “Three Tenors Concert.” 

His 50-year collaboration with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is particularly remarkable. Joining as a music advisor in 1969, he became its music director in 1977 and was appointed lifetime music director in 1981, a role he held until 2019. 

Mehta also served as music director and principal conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Over six decades, his illustrious career has come to symbolize the golden age of classical music. His conducting style, blending grandeur with meticulous precision, has earned him numerous accolades, including the United Nations’ Global Peace and Tolerance Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Indian civilian award, and the Echo Klassik Award.

The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which Mehta will conduct, has an equally storied history. Founded by conductor Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian literary scholar Edward Said, the orchestra was created to promote dialogue and understanding between Middle Eastern cultures through music. Named after Goethe’s poetry collection “West-Eastern Divan,” it brings together young musicians from across the region, fostering mutual cultural recognition and respect. 

Beyond its exceptional artistry, the orchestra embodies coexistence and cross-cultural understanding, earning a place among Gramophone’s “Top Ten Most Influential Orchestras of the Modern Era.” Over its 25-year history, the ensemble has performed at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including the Salzburg Festival, the BBC Proms, Carnegie Hall, and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. 

Renowned artists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Yo-Yo Ma, and Martha Argerich have joined as honorary members. Fourteen years ago, under Barenboim’s baton, the orchestra made its Chinese debut.

Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang. Photo courtesy of Shenzhen Concert Hall

Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang, the evening’s soloist, is celebrated as a virtuoso of the bow. Born into a musical family, Kang began playing the violin at a young age. By seven, she had earned a full scholarship to the Juilliard School, studying under Dorothy DeLay, and later trained at the Munich Conservatory with Christoph Poppen. 

Her exceptional talent has led to victories at numerous international competitions, including the Seoul International Violin Competition, the Hannover International Violin Competition, and the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition.

Don’t miss the opportunity to spend an unforgettable evening with Mehta, Kang, and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra! 

Tickets: 280-1,280 yuan

Time: 8 p.m., March 2

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音樂廳)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit D