Melbourne Symphony Orchestra &
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Joint Concerts
Li-Wei Qin × Sir Andrew Davis
April 8–9, 2016 · Shanghai Symphony Hall, Main Concert Hall
Overview
In April 2016, world-renowned cellist Li-Wei Qin joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis, one of Britain’s most distinguished conductors, for two exceptional performances at the Shanghai Symphony Hall.
The first concert featured Ravel’s elegant neoclassical suite Le Tombeau de Couperin, Saint-Saëns’s virtuosic First Cello Concerto, and Beethoven’s radiant Symphony No.7. The following evening, the MSO and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO) came together for a rare joint concert, performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto and Holst’s The Planets — a monumental collaboration uniting leading orchestras from the Southern and Northern hemispheres.
Concert I
Sir Andrew Davis & Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
April 8, 2016 · 20:00
Shanghai Symphony Hall – Concert Hall
Cello: Li-Wei Qin
Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis
Orchestra: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Maurice Ravel — Le Tombeau de Couperin
Camille Saint-Saëns — Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op.33
Cello: Li-Wei Qin
— Intermission —
Ludwig van Beethoven — Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92
Concert II
Sir Andrew Davis Conducts the MSO & SSO Joint Concert
April 9, 2016 · 20:00
Shanghai Symphony Hall – Concert Hall
Violin: Eoin Andersen
Cello: Li-Wei Qin
Piano: Du Ningwu
Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis
Orchestras: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven — Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C major, Op.56
— Intermission —
Gustav Holst — The Planets, Op.32
Artists
Sir Andrew Davis · Conductor
“Sir Andrew Davis combines insight, elegance, and vitality in performances that bridge the great British tradition and modern sensibility.”
The Guardian
Sir Andrew Davis (1944–2024) was one of the most respected British conductors of his generation, celebrated for his deep musicianship, wit, and command of both symphonic and operatic repertoire.
He served as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Lyric Opera of Chicago (2000–2021), Chief Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (2013–2019), and Conductor Laureate of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, as well as long-time Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout his career, Sir Andrew appeared with the world’s leading ensembles, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and Philadelphia Orchestra.
He conducted over 100 appearances at the BBC Proms, many of them televised, making him one of the most iconic figures in British classical life.
Known for his refined interpretations of Elgar, Berlioz, Britten, and Walton, as well as a passion for contemporary music, Sir Andrew’s recordings span labels such as Chandos, Teldec, and Decca, earning multiple international awards.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 for his outstanding services to music.
Li-Wei Qin · Cello
Laureate of both the Tchaikovsky and Naumburg Competitions, Li-Wei Qin has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony, Melbourne Symphony, Guangzhou Symphony, and China Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborating with conductors including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Andrew Davis, Long Yu, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
His discography includes albums for Decca, Sony Classical, and ABC Classics, encompassing the Elgar, Walton, and Britten concertos, as well as complete Beethoven sonatas. He currently serves as Professor of Cello at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore, and is recognized for performances of technical brilliance and lyrical depth.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO)
Founded in 1906, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia’s preeminent symphonic ensemble. Based in Hamer Hall, the MSO regularly collaborates with leading international soloists and conductors and has undertaken extensive international tours across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (SSO)
Founded in 1879, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is China’s oldest and one of its most prestigious orchestras. Under the direction of Long Yu, it has developed a distinct artistic identity, combining Western symphonic traditions with contemporary Chinese innovation.