It's no coincidence the Ottawa-based National Arts Center Orchestra is staging its first China tour in Hong Kong during the Canada China Business Council's annual meeting in Beijing.

It realizes the pledge Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made during his China visit last February to enhance relations through cultural exchanges.

Some 70 orchestra members will stage the tour of seven Chinese cities over two weeks, starting in Hong Kong alongside the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. Beijing musicians Zhangli Junyi and Wang Yuehan will return home to perform as part the orchestra after mentoring under NACO conductor Pinchas Zukerman over the summer.

NACO was part of the initiative devised by former prime minister Lester Pearson to mark Canada's centennial when it was founded in 1969 by conductor and pianist Mario Bernardi. The National Arts Center showcases performance art in all its forms. It also stages dances along with English- and French-language theater productions.

Pinchas Zukerman conducts the HKS in 2009. Photos provided to China Daily

Its opening performance in Hong Kong will start off the China tour on a high note. Some 130 musicians from NACO and HKS will perform Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 in E Minor, Opus 64, under Zukerman's baton.

Along with the mastery the maestro will display during Mozart's Violin Concerto No 3, his wife and principal cellist Amanda Forsyth will perform the solo from Chinese-Canadian composer Alexina Louie's Bringing the Tiger Down from the Mountain II. It will be the first time Louie's piece has been performed in her hometown.

"It is a wonderful occasion for both Canada and China for a Canadian with roots in Hong Kong - for Alexina - to have her music played at this gala concert," says the Tel Aviv-born Zukerman, who has led NACO since 1999.

Forsyth, a South African-born Canadian, says: "Playing it for the first time in Hong Kong will be very exciting. The piece was inspired by a tai chi move. But for me, I think of the mountains that surround Hong Kong, the beautiful scenery. And I can hear the tiger in the music. Sometimes the tiger is moving quietly through the forest. Sometimes he is crouching or growling. I think the audience will hear the natural beauty of Hong Kong when I play."

Zukerman has collaborated twice before with Yip Wing-sie and HKS. The conductors share a strong belief in education and agree classical music is for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age, background or how much money they have in their pockets.

"We need better teachers," Zukerman says.

"Teaching is where we can sow seeds - where we show our ability to perform but also teach as an ensemble. In Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong or Guangzhou, we go to the universities or conservatories and make contact with students and teachers.

"We can then continue to follow up on how to improve teaching for the future. It has been one of the most important aspects of my tenure at NACO."

According to Zukerman, the orchestra will stage more than 80 educational events during its China tour.

Zukerman says: "We are doing pop up concerts in secret locations. OK - maybe I'll let you in on one secret: We will be performing at the Beijing Zoo."

Forsyth says: "I love playing in Asia. When we give a master class here, 2,000 might attend rather than a few dozen in North America. I have performed in Asia many times, and I am very pleased to return. This time, I am bringing my country and my husband with me."

Zukerman agrees: "With so many young people learning classical music in Asia, I believe the future of this art form will belong more and more to China. I come to China with an open heart, to share music that I believe is beautiful. We will be Canadian and Chinese musicians, making wonderful music together."

Forsyth says: "This tour is very important to Canada and to China. It has been described as the most important cultural exchange in recent history. I am proud to be part of it.

"And we're going to do what Pinchas loves best - teach. What a wonderful gift it will be to both countries."

sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/29/2013 page15)