The season opened with concerts on March 3 and 4 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, coinciding with the Lantern Festival.

The opening concert began with a powerful and exhilarating performance of the music piece, titled Dancing Lion, composed by Yang Xiao in 2014.

From the very first notes, the piece demands attention, as complex, interwoven rhythms collide with dynamic harmonies to create an electrifying atmosphere. The music pulses with energy, capturing the fierce and vibrant spirit of the traditional lion dance in a modern rhythmic interpretation.

"It's one of the rarely performed works we chose to revive," Tang explains. "Although it premiered more than a decade ago, it still feels fresh and vivid."

The piece evokes the cultural landscape of Lingnan, a region in southern China known for its rich folk traditions. Its layered rhythmic structure mirrors the unpredictable movements of the lion — leaping, spinning and surging with energy.

"When we opened our European tour with this piece in February, audience feedback confirmed we had made the right choice," he adds.

The unique timbres of Chinese wind instruments, especially the bamboo flutes and suona (a double-reed woodwind instrument), are unrivaled in their ability to convey the warmth of rural landscapes. The concert featured a piece titled Sentiments for Mountains and Plains, composed and performed by bamboo flute player Dai Ya. The piece unfolds with a natural, flowing grace, conjuring images of mountains, rivers and open countryside.