Croydon’s Fairfield Halls hosts one of Asia’s best orchestras

Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra’s debut UK tour is set to bring award-winning film scores and orchestral pieces to Croydon next month.

The China Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO) – with acclaimed violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen – will perform at Fairfield Halls on March 22, in its first ever UK tour.

The performance will see more than 100 musicians on stage.

The programme includes film score excerpts from the Academy Award-winning hit movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which blends Chinese ceremonial and classical music together in action-packed drama. 

The film score was composed by Tan Dun – the SZSO’s principal honorary conductor.

The programme also features Mahler’s ‘Titan’ First Symphony and Chausson’s Poème, a fantastical story about a woman seduced by a former lover with an enchanted violin, for which the SZSO will be joined by violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen.

Since the orchestra was founded more than 40 years ago in Shenzhen, the city has transformed from a small fishing village into China’s third most populous city and a global technology hub. 

The SZSO now represents the rich culture of Shenzhen, under the direction of Daye Lin.

Mr Lin said: “It has been a dream of mine for a long time to bring the China Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra to the UK and we can’t wait to perform for UK audiences across the country. 

“We hope to welcome orchestral audiences new and old – we’ve created a programme that includes moments of exciting drama, serene beauty, and virtuosic brilliance, which we know British audiences will enjoy.”

Fairfield Halls in Croydon is celebrated for its world-class acoustics. This concert forms part of a yearlong orchestral series at the venue featuring orchestras from around the world.

Steve Turner, associate director of venues at Fairfield Halls, said: “We are absolutely delighted to host the SZSO for their UK tour finale. Whether new to classical music or a lifelong devotee, this evening and its sumptuous programme promises to delight and enthrall.”

For tickets visit: https://www.fairfield.co.uk/events/china-symphony-orchesestra-24

Pictured top: The China Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (Picture: Supplied by @strike_comms)