Related stories

Implementation Measures of the "Rules of the People's Republic of China on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights" Decision on Amendments to the Law of Judges of the People's Republic of China China's Pingyao Forms Yoke of Friendship with Provins of France Camerata of the Friends of Music The Remains of Peking Man in Zhoukoudian

The man behind Making of Stars

Hu was born into a musical family in Shanghai, where he began his violin lessons with his grandfather at age 5. He studied conducting with Professor Zheng Xiaoying at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing before he went to the renowned Julliard School of Music in New York and graduated in 1989.

Hu has performed in concert halls throughout the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Vienna, Munich, and Geneva, and he is a regular guest conductor with symphony orchestras around the world. He is quite passionate about exchange activities between Chinese and foreign artists. He leads China’s major symphony orchestras on overseas tours and has taken the Shanghai Symphony and the Central Philharmonic of China to Germany, Italy, Swaziland, South Korea, and Malaysia.

Since 2004, Hu has served at Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music as the art director of the EOS Orchestra Academy. Here he shares his thoughts about his career and this new educational mode with Beijing This Month (BTM) readers.

BTM: What is your biggest impression about the development of classical music in China?

Hu: Classical music in China has been developing so fast that we simply have no time to think about what is suitable for ourselves. Things are the same in the aspect of music teaching. Some parents send their children to learn musical instruments for no other reason than the hope that they will get extra scores for their college-entrance exams, which makes their learning of music meaningless.

BTM: What is the meaning of EOS?

Hu: EOS means “dawn” in Greek. It is also the name of the Goddess of Dawn in Greek mythology, whose children are the stars in the sky. The goddess releases her children every night to let them shine upon the whole world. The EOS Orchestra Academy teaches and provides various opportunities for young musicians who are striving to become “stars” in the classical music field.

The EOS Orchestra Academy is a recently established organization for developing advanced professional orchestral musicians. All members are the very top recent graduates of China’s music conservatories who have demonstrated their exceptional instrumental performance skills in rigorous auditions. These beautiful, talented young musicians come from all over China, sharing a passion for excellence in classical orchestral performance. Rather than developing soloists, EOS is developing future members of symphony orchestras in China and abroad through teaching team skills, playing together for the glory of classical music.

They are the future stars of the best orchestras in China as well as throughout the world.

BTM: What is the difference between EOS and ordinary conservatories?

Hu: As an orchestra academy, we definitely focus on orchestra and symphonies, combining teaching and practicing as a whole. Our way of teaching is via orchestral practicing and performances, which is unique for a Chinese conservatory. We perform at least 20 symphonies a year. So our students must finish their undergraduate courses first so they can concentrate on symphonies.

BTM: How do EOS students differ from professional musicians? What are their advantages?

Hu: EOS students are all very young so they make progresses with every performance. As a conductor, I’m very pleased with this. They have more passion and energy when performing.

BTM: How do you view EOS’s future?

Hu: We are preparing to take EOS out of the conservatory to society. We will form an E! Club for Beijing audiences. Our members can enjoy discounts for concerts or even free concerts. The most influential performances for EOS included our concerts in Hung Hom Stadium in Hong Kong with pianist Lang Lang.

For more information about Hu Yongyan and EOS Orchestra Academy, see: http://eos.ccom.edu.cn.