The 28th Beijing Music Festival will take place in Beijing from October 10 to 24, 2025, featuring the theme “Future Tradition · Moments and New Voices.” More than 700 artists and eight renowned orchestras from 26 countries and regions will convene in Beijing, presenting a dynamic music festival that includes several world premieres.
The China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) is honored to be the Charity Partner of the Festival and will host a special event “Future Tradition – BMF Recap and Sharing” on October 11, bringing together musicians and performers for a dialogue on fostering arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
Founded in 1998, the Beijing Music Festival has grown into one of the world’s most influential cultural events.
This year the opening and closing concerts will be performed by the China Philharmonic Orchestra. The opening concert, conducted by internationally acclaimed maestro Yu Long, will be held on October 10 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. The closing concert on October 24 will showcase a fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions, led by conductor Yang Yang and featuring soloists such as American violinist Gil Shaham and Hungarian mezzo-soprano Ildikó Komlósi.
Among the festival’s highlights are the China premieres of Handel’s "Rinaldo" in concert version and Alban Berg’s "Wozzeck" in full staging. The BBC Philharmonic will present "City of Floating Sounds," an interactive piece by Chinese-born composer Huang Ruo, which extends classical music beyond the concert hall to explore the symbiotic relationship between music and the city.
In addition to performances, the Festival will offer masterclasses, music workshops, and educational activities designed to engage local audiences, music lovers, and young students.
The eight renowned orchestras participating in this year’s Beijing Music Festival include:
- The China Philharmonic Orchestra
- The Rachmaninoff International Symphony Orchestra
- The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
- The English Concert
- The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
- The Choir of Central Conservatory of Music
- The Beijing Philharmonic Choir
- The Shanghai Conservatory of Music Choir
For full program details, please refer to the official schedule of the Beijing Music Festival.
