HK orchestra brings Beethoven to life on the mainland

Jaap van Zweden is fully aware of the importance of touring the world. Appointed music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic in 2012, he heads one of the largest and busiest musical organizations in Hong Kong, presenting more than 150 concerts every year.

In December, the orchestra performed in Taipei for the first time in two decades, and in March it is touring Chinese mainland cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou-the first time former violinist Van Zweden has visited as a conductor.

The orchestra will have a major tour of Europe in February and March 2015 and travel to the United States in May 2016.