Asia finds its unifying voice

The Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, comprising the finest Asian musicians, will present its debut concert in Beijing at the National Center for the Performing Arts. Chung Myung-Whun, a South Korea-born maestro, will take the baton to perform Mozart's Symphonic Concerto in E flat for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Mahler's Symphony No 1, "Titan".

The 56-year-old pianist/conductor has studied at the Julliard School in New York and worked as music director at the world's most prestigious orchestras in the United States, Europe and Asia for three decades. In 1997, he gathered leading musicians from China, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries to establish the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra.

He believes classical music is world music, a rich heritage that has grown far beyond its European roots to be shared and enjoyed by all.