To most members of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, including percussionist Li Biao, German pianist and conductor Justus Frantz is more an old friend than a guest conductor.

It is at least the fifth time that Frantz, 62, collaborates with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra since his first tour to China in 1998.

Li was among the first members of the Philharmonia of the Nations, an orchestra composed of young instrumentalists from some 50 countries. Founded by Frantz in 1995, the Philharmonia of the Nations was inspired by legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein's dream of an international, young and professional orchestra.

"I attended a concert featuring Li in Moscow in 1992 and was impressed by his performance at once," said Frantz, in an interview with China Daily on Saturday. "So when I established the Philharmonia of the Nations, I invited him to join us."

Grand symphonies

The conductor and his young orchestra will give a huge concert with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of China National Symphony Orchestra at the Forbidden City Concert Hall today.

He also brings world-acclaimed Chinese mezzo-soprano Liang Ning, who also appeared in his concerts some 10 years ago when the Philharmonia of the Nations was founded.

In the first half of the concert, Frantz will conduct the big joint-orchestras and choir of some 200 members to perform Mahler's Second Symphony Resurrection. In the second half, Tan Lihua, artistic director of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, will take the baton and Frantz will step down from the podium to the piano to play Beethoven's No 1 Piano Concerto.

"I am looking forward to performing Mahler's Resurrection," the conductor said. "For me, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Mahler's Second Symphony are the best symphonic works in the 19th century and somehow, Mahler's Second Symphony is a continuous work of Beethoven's Ninth."

He recalled that his first experience of conducting the piece was when he was studying with Bernstein. "It was an incredible impression which I will never forget in my life," he said. "The work is so emotionally stirring and very often, tears come to my eyes when I conduct it."

As for Beethoven's No 1 Piano Concerto, this is the third time in Beijing that Frantz and Tan Lihua collaborate in this way he playing the piano, while Tan taking the baton.

"I love the Beijing Symphony Orchestra," Frantz said. "It is an ensemble of great potential and has made great progress since our first cooperation in 1998."

Young musicians

For 30 years, Frantz has been internationally successful as a pianist and conductor. Frantz began to play the piano at the age of 4. He started his extraordinary musical career in 1967, when he won the international music competition of a famous German television station.

Conductor greats Herbert von Karajan and Bernstein prepared the way to help further his musical career. In 1970, Frantz rose to the ranks of first-class pianists with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Karajan.

He celebrated his US debut five years later with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Bernstein, whose musical ideals he continues to adhere to the Philharmonia of the Nations is the best example.

Ever since, Frantz has been well known for his devotion to discovering and supporting young musical talent. The regular auditions in many countries on the Philharmonia of the Nations tour are a fixed item on his agenda, which is an excellent opportunity for young musicians worldwide to start a career in music.

In the past 10 years, some 400 young instrumentalists have performed with the cross-nation orchestra and every year, Frantz will recruit 10 percent of the members.

Besides percussionist Li, quite a few Chinese talents have been with the orchestra, including cellist Wang Jian, and violinists Huang Mengla and Wang Yang.

"I am always looking forward to Chinese members," commented the German musician, who also revealed that he loves Chinese arts and the philosophy of Confucius.

"Nowadays, more and more Chinese music prodigies are coming to the fore in the world stage. They are talented, advanced in technology and musicality."

Besides the concert, Frantz will also talk with Yu Feng professor of China Central Conservatory of Music and newly appointed artistic director of China Central Opera House about the audition in Beijing next year.

In addition to discovering and supporting the young rising musicians, Frantz has always succeeded in getting his music across to a broad audience in an unconventional manner.

In 1986, he founded the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and worked as its director for nine years, turning it into one of the greatest music festivals of the world. He also produces a TV program to promote classical music, and the program has been awarded several television prizes of high prestige.

Every July, Frantz hosts the annual "Finca Festival Frantz and Friends" at Spain's Gran Canaria Island on Monte Leon, a stone's throw from the world-famous dunes of Maspalomas. Musicians, artists and celebrities are invited to perform, communicate and enjoy the incomparable atmosphere of creativity in Frantz's world of music and nature.

Next year's event will be held from July 14 to 24, and Frantz has invited Chinese cellist Wang, percussionist Li and violinist Huang to the festival.

(China Daily November 2, 2005)