Shanghai Chinese Orchestra

Australian Debut 2025

The New Oriental Chinese Music Scene

The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, one of China’s premier national ensembles, will make its long-awaited Australian debut this September, featuring over 70 musicians. Under the baton of Maestro Muhai Tang in Sydney and Melbourne, and Yao Shenshen in Adelaide, the orchestra will showcase the elegance and vitality of Chinese musical traditions—particularly the distinctive charm of Shanghai-style folk music. Renowned for its technical brilliance, innovative programming, and artistic excellence,

Highlights include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon composed by Tan Dun and Silk Road by Jiang Ying.

This acclaimed program has captivated audiences worldwide at iconic venues such as Philharmonie de Paris, Berliner Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie, Kennedy Center, Barbican Centre, and St. Petersburg State Capella.

Experience how Chinese classical music becomes chic, sophisticated, and deeply moving in this unforgettable celebration of heritage and innovation.

Tang Muhai

CONDUCTOR
Tang Muhai is an internationally renowned Chinese conductor. He currently serves as the Laureate Conductor of the China National Symphony Orchestra and the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Principal Festival Conductor of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival.
Tang rose to international fame in 1983 after being invited by legendary maestro Herbert von Karajan to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. This marked the beginning of his international conducting career. In addition to multiple collaborations with the Berlin Philharmonic, he has been invited to conduct many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
He has recorded numerous albums and won a Grammy Award in 2002 for his recording of guitar concertos by Tan Dun and Christopher Rouse.
Yao Shenshen

CONDUCTOR
Yao Shenshen is a conductor with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra and a graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, majoring in both conducting and erhu. He is a guest associate professor at Tongji University and Shanghai Normal University, and has appeared as guest conductor with orchestras in Hong Kong, Macao, and Singapore. Yao is also Executive Director of the Erhu Committee at the Shanghai Musicians Association and won third prize at the Hong Kong International Chinese Orchestra Conducting Competition.
He has conducted major concerts including Echoes of Shanghai, A Fiery Chinese New Year, and Sound of the Ocean, which toured internationally to high acclaim. Yao has led performances at the National Day celebrations, the China International Import Expo, and major festivals abroad. He is passionate about music education and has conducted youth and school ensembles to multiple national awards. Yao’s conducting style is both precise and expressive, with strong musical insight.