On Wednesday, May 14^th, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra will present “ESO 2025－Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 and Ning Feng plays Bartók” at the Taipei National Concert Hall. This captivating program features national music influences from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Germany, performed under the baton of Bulgarian conductor Pavel Baleff and joined by Ning Feng, one of today’s celebrated international violinists.

Known for his incisive and immensely musical interpretations, conductor Pavel Baleff has served as the Chief-Conductor of the Baden-Baden Philharmonic in Germany and is currently the Music Director of the Opera Limoges in France. His collaboration last year with the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra and the esteemed Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas received enthusiastic acclaim from local audiences. This evening, Baleff returns to Taiwan to lead the ESO once again, opening the concert with Czech composer Antonín Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, a vibrant and celebratory work that sets the festive tone for the evening. 

The program continues with Hungarian composer Béla Bartók’s Violin Concerto No.2, one of the most significant violin concertos of the 20^th century. This masterpiece will be performed by Ning Feng, an internationally renowned violinist who has been   praised by BBC Music Magazine for his “silvery tonal purity and immaculate intonation”. A gold medalist and the first Chinese violinist to receive a perfect score at the Paganini International Violin Competition, he has performed with world-class orchestras such as the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and London Philharmonic Orchestra. His collaboration with Baleff in performing Bartok’s concerto promises to bring a dynamic experience. 

In the second half of the concert, Baleff will conduct Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No.4 in E minor, a powerful and emotionally profound work that is often regarded as Brahms’ most complex and compelling symphony. With its contemplative and sorrowful tone, the symphony reflects Brahms’ musings on life’s final chapters. Its intricate structure and emotional depth transition the audience from the celebratory energy of the first half into a more introspective and reflective atmosphere. 

This performance will offer a rich musical dialogue, showcasing the distinctive national styles of Czech, Hungarian, and German music. The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra warmly invites all music lovers to join them on the evening of May 14^th at the Taipei National Concert Hall for this exceptional musical experience. Tickets are now available online through OPENTIX. For more information regarding the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra and its concert series, please visit the ESO website for further inquiries.