The international dimension of the summer tour was strengthened by the participation of Bruce Liu, the French-born Chinese Canadian pianist who won the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2021. At 28, Liu is one of the most sought-after young pianists in the world, and he praised the collaboration as both fun and inspirational. He will perform in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, later this year.

At home, the orchestra enjoys strong audience support. Concert halls in China now attract large numbers of young people who share reviews online and fuel discussions on platforms such as RedNote. Many parents encourage their children to learn music, and new concert halls have opened across the country. This enthusiasm has helped the NCPA Orchestra build a loyal following.

Li hopes he can guide an orchestra that combines international training, youthful energy, and a growing ambition to represent Chinese artistry abroad. "We are not robots, we are human beings," he says. "You cannot just switch from one style to another. You take elements and mingle them, and that makes for a different spirit. That's what we are aiming for."

From his first years as a student in Beijing to his studies abroad and professional work in London and Montreal, Li's career has mirrored the global journey of Chinese classical music itself. Now, as the NCPA Orchestra begins to establish its reputation in Europe, he is tasked with ensuring that the ensemble continues to grow.

Zhao Haiying, executive vice-president of the NCPA, who led the tour, notes that the tour came shortly after the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. He hoped the performances would help build new bridges of communication.

The European tour is unlikely to be the last. With more opportunities emerging, the orchestra aims to expand its international footprint while continuing to serve audiences at home.