Asian Youth Orchestra celebrates 35th anniversary in Shanghai

Marking its 35th anniversary, the Hong Kong-based Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) gave a rousing performance at the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre last night, as part of an ambitious Asian tour spanning 13 cities across mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.Led by conductor Joseph Bastian, the 98-member ensemble delivered Rachmaninoff’s towering Piano Concerto No. 3 in the first half, with soloist George Li earning thunderous applause and offering two generous encores. The second half was devoted to Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 5, showcasing the orchestra’s depth and maturity.Founded in 1990 in Hong Kong, the AYO has nurtured generations of young musicians through intensive mentorship from leading orchestral players worldwide.The footage was filmed on 8 August 2025 at the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com