The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra in Shanghai, China. Its music director is Long Yu. Founded in 1879, the SSO is the oldest Chinese symphony orchestra. Originally, it was known as the Shanghai Public Band, expanding in 1907 to an orchestra. In 1922, it was renamed as the Shanghai Municipal Council Symphony Orchestra.

History

Major performances

The orchestra has participated in the China Art Festival, China Shanghai International Arts Festival, Shanghai Spring International Music Festival, Beijing International Music Festival, Hong Kong Art Festival, Macao International Music Festival, North Korea "April Spring" festival, and so on. It won numerous awards. It played at the Shanghai Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

Long Yu

Long Yu is currently the conductor and musical director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the artistic director and principal conductor of China Philharmonic Orchestra, and the music director of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, sharing his time between the three. He is also the chairman of the Beijing International Music Festival Arts Council, and the art committee of the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Jindong Cai of Stanford University said of Yu that he has "done a lot for the development of [European] classical music in China".