— As the United Nations International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations approaches, the renowned Harbin Symphony Orchestra, which boasts a history spanning more than a century, has been invited by Spanish cultural institutions to present the large-scale symphonic concert Ode to Civilization on the evening of June 9 at the Teatro Gran Vía in Madrid, Spain. Under the theme “Dialogue Among Civilizations, Harmony Along the Silk Road Through Music,” the concert is jointly hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Spain and the Harbin Municipal Government, with media support provided by Harbin Daily. More than a musical celebration, the event represents a meaningful exchange between Harbin—China’s renowned “City of Music”—and Madrid, fostering deeper cultural dialogue and mutual learning between civilizations.
Harbin Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1908 and has a distinguished history spanning 118 years. Widely recognized as the first true symphony orchestra in China and the Far East, it has played a pioneering role in the development of symphonic music in the region. Over the past century, the orchestra has nurtured and inspired generations of outstanding musicians, including Xu Shuhui, former concertmaster of the China National Symphony Orchestra, and the internationally renowned conductor Helmut Stern, among many others. More than a witness to history, the Harbin Symphony Orchestra has served as a cultural ambassador promoting exchanges between China and the world. It has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Vienna’s Golden Hall of the Musikverein and the Salzburg Festival. Committed to becoming a leading orchestra in China, a major force in Asia, and a respected name on the international stage, the orchestra has earned widespread acclaim at home and abroad for its passionate yet refined artistic style.
The centerpiece of the concert, Ode to Civilization, is a large-scale original symphonic work jointly commissioned by the Harbin Symphony Orchestra and ten other leading symphony orchestras across China. The composition was created over a period of eighteen months by renowned composer and conductor Wang Ning. The work was conceived in response to the United Nations General Assembly’s decision to designate June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. It received its world premiere on June 10, 2025, in Harbin, China’s celebrated “City of Music.” Shortly after its debut, the work was honored as an Outstanding Symphonic Work at the Second National Awards for Outstanding Symphonic Works. Grand in scale and ambitious in conception, the symphony consists of five movements: Mutual Learning and Integration: Diversity in Harmony; From Pioneering Endeavors to the Rise of Civilization; Benevolence Across the World, Harmony Among Nations; Virtue Sustains All Things, Enduring Through Time; Rebirth and Renewal, Advancing Along the Common Path. Particularly noteworthy is the work’s incorporation of musical elements from more than twenty celebrated Chinese and international compositions, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, the Chinese classic Spring Festival Overture, and Sibelius’s Finlandia. Through sophisticated compositional techniques, the symphony weaves together artistic motifs from different civilizations into a unified musical narrative. The result is a rare achievement in contemporary symphonic creation—one that vividly expresses the vision of a shared future for humanity, where civilizations respect their differences while flourishing together in mutual appreciation and harmony.
When the rhythms of Harbin’s ice and snow meet the warmth of the Mediterranean through the music of Haydn and Beethoven, dialogue among civilizations finds one of its most eloquent expressions. This visit is not merely a musical performance on stage, but a comprehensive and multidimensional cultural exchange. During the tour, a Harbin Ice and Snow Culture Photo Exhibition will be presented alongside the concert. Beyond the concert hall, members of the orchestra will engage directly with local audiences through public square performances, street flash mobs, chamber music concerts, and small-scale instrumental performances, using music to transcend the boundaries of language and culture.
During its stay in Madrid, the orchestra will visit the Teatro Real (Royal Opera of Madrid) to gain insights into the artistic and production processes behind opera performances. It will also meet with principal musicians of the RTVE Symphony Orchestra to exchange artistic experiences and explore opportunities for future collaboration between Chinese and Spanish musicians. In addition, discussions will be held with representatives of the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid and the Goethe-Institut Madrid on topics including international music competitions and joint talent-development programs.
On the evening of June 9, the symphonic voice of China will resonate in Madrid. Music needs no translation; wherever it reaches, hearts find connection. Let us look forward to and witness this meaningful dialogue among civilizations spanning thousands of miles.
Contact Info:
Name: He Shengying
Email: Send Email
Organization: Company Name: Harbin Daily Newspaper Industry Group Co., Ltd.
Website: https://www.ipharbin.com
Release ID: 89194093
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