New era for Chinese classical music

Highly acclaimed conductor wins recognition for his global contribution, Wang Xin reports in Shanghai.

Chinese classical maestro and renowned conductor Yu Long received a special present to mark his 60th birthday — a complete collection of his recordings on the world's top classical music label Deutsche Grammophon.

Released on Dec 16, the box collection comprises six albums recording Yu's collaboration with the label over the past 25 years, mapping the conductor's footprints as a towering figure steering China's growing connection to classical music on both domestic and international stages.

"It has been 25 years since the first time I worked with DG. China's classical music scene has been through a 'golden' period of development and witnessed dramatic changes during the 25 years. Chinese music has become so close with the world, and has been presented so frequently with Chinese culture on the global stage. I am very fortunate to have been part of this remarkable historical process," said Yu at a news conference in Shanghai on the same day.