Barber Cello Concerto — “Poetry of the Century”
Li-Wei Qin × China Philharmonic & Guangzhou Symphony
Overview
Bridging two centuries of musical thought, cellist Li-Wei Qin brings to life Samuel Barber’s Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op.22, performing with two of China’s leading orchestras — the China Philharmonic Orchestraunder Yu Ji and the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra under Cui Linhan.
The program juxtaposes the impassioned lyricism of American composer Samuel Barber with the late-Romantic brilliance of Richard Strauss, revealing the shifting creative axis from 19th-century Europe to 20th-century America — a musical portrait of an era in transformation.
“This concerto may not be as frequently performed as those by Dvořák or Elgar, but it’s one of my personal favorites. Its lyricism is unmistakably Barber, and its technical demands are formidable — some even call it unplayable.
Yet its beauty, elegance, and bittersweet melancholy make it deeply rewarding.”
Li-Wei Qin
About the work
Composed in 1945, Barber’s Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op.22 is one of the most demanding concertos ever written for the instrument. Commissioned by conductor Serge Koussevitzky for cellist Eleanor Aller Slatkin, the work blends Barber’s signature melodic beauty with virtuosic brilliance and structural mastery.
The first movement features a sweeping, dramatic dialogue between soloist and orchestra, culminating in a dazzling cadenza;
the second, a Siciliana-like aria of haunting tenderness;
and the finale, a fiery and rhythmically charged conclusion showcasing both technical agility and expressive power.
Though rarely performed due to its technical difficulty, the concerto has been increasingly recognized as one of Barber’s greatest achievements — a poignant, passionate statement of American Romanticism in the modern age.
Program
“Poetry of the Century” — China Philharmonic Orchestra
Beijing Zhongshan Park Music Hall · November 18, 2023
Conductor: Yu Ji
Cello: Li-Wei Qin
Samuel Barber
— Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op.22
Richard Strauss
— Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Op.28
Richard Strauss
— Death and Transfiguration, Op.24
Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra 2023–2024 Season
Xinghai Concert Hall · November 20, 2023 · 20:00
Conductor: Cui Linhan
Cello: Li-Wei Qin
Li Mengneng
— Sun Dunhuang, for Huqin and Orchestra
(World Premiere, NCPA Young Composer Program)
Samuel Barber
— Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op.22
Zhou Tian
— Concerto for Orchestra
Two young geniuses — Barber and Strauss — both at the height of their early creativity.
Barber’s music radiates youthful intensity and lyrical immediacy,
while Strauss’s tone poems embody the philosophical grandeur of late Romanticism.
Artists
Li-Wei Qin — Cello
A laureate of the Tchaikovsky and Naumburg competitions, Qin is hailed by The New York Times for his “ravishingly beautiful tone, flawless intonation, and ironclad technique.” His collaborations include the London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, and China Philharmonic, and he records for Deccaand Sony Classical.
Yu Ji — Conductor
One of China’s prominent conductors, Yu Ji serves as resident conductor of the China Philharmonic Orchestra, known for his precise control, interpretive insight, and wide symphonic repertoire.
Cui Linhan — Conductor
A rising Chinese conductor and protégé of Maestro Yu Long, Cui Linhan is praised for his clarity, energy, and sensitivity. He currently works with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, where he continues to develop dynamic programs featuring both classical and contemporary Chinese composers.