Inspiring Shanghai aims to show that the megalopolis is not only an economic powerhouse, but that it is also a great city of culture. Shanghai is rightly often associated with literature, cinema, photography, fashion, design or architecture. But, it is also a city of music.

The Shanghai Oriental Art Center (SHOAC), designed by Paul Andreu (1938-2018), is a key venue for classical music.

We spoke to David Gosset, editor of Inspiring Shanghai , and his views follow:

“One of our authors is Liao Changyong, the famous operatic baritone.I am deeply moved by his participation because I like very much the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. ”Liao Changyong is the president of this important institution.

In Shanghai, I had the chance to listen to Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007). And more recently to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Riccardo Muti as conductor.

Even closer to us, the city of Shanghai welcomed the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra and its legendary conductor Vladimir Fedoseyev. To listen to Tchaikovsky’s 6th symphony at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center was an unforgettable moment.

The city of Shanghai welcomed the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra and its legendary conductor Vladimir Fedoseyev.

For many years, I have been saying that the future of classical music is connected with the Chinese renaissance. It is a Spanish diplomat and composer that suggested this idea to me more than two decades ago, Delfin Colomé (1946-2008).

When you see the very young audience at Shanghai’s classical music concerts, it becomes obvious that Shanghai will play an increasingly central role in global classical music. I am happy to see that our book Inspiring Shanghai looks also at this aspect.”