China's preeminent conductor Long Yu has released a 6-CD box set in the Chinese mainland, featuring his complete recordings with Deutsche Grammophon (DG) and celebrating his artistic career.

The 6-CD box set of "Long Yu Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon" on display at its launch ceremony in Shanghai, Dec. 16, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon]

"Long Yu Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon" showcases recordings he made with DG over the past 25 years, providing a comprehensive overview of his conducting artistry.

The release includes messages from six close associates: pianist Lang Lang, former Central Conservatory of Music president Wang Cizhao, cellist Wang Jian, China Musicians Association chairman Ye Xiaogang, recording producer Christopher Alder and DG senior director marketing classics Nikki Kawamura.

Lang Lang praised Yu, saying his initiatives have been milestones in building cultural bridges between China and the world. "He consistently maintains a forward-thinking insight into cultural realms and the world, enabling him to always be at the forefront of music and art, contemplating the future and keenly capturing the direction of classical music's evolution. In the presence of such an artist full of thoughts and execution, I have always benefited immensely and been inspired and motivated by his spirit."

At the Shanghai launch event Dec. 16, Yu said: "It has been 25 years since my first collaboration with DG, aligning perfectly with the golden era of classical music development in China. Over this quarter-century, the industry has undergone tremendous changes. Chinese music and global music have grown much closer, with Chinese music and culture frequently appearing on the world stage. I feel fortunate to have been part of this dynamic and transformative historical journey."

Dr. Clemens Trautmann, president of DG, said Long Yu and his orchestras — the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and China Philharmonic Orchestra — have created extraordinary performances spanning Eastern and Western composers from classical masters to contemporary creators. "This box set not only preserves these great recordings but also celebrates Maestro Long Yu's significant milestone — his 60th birthday," he said.

Kleopatra Sofroniou, DG's general manager classics, called Yu "an exceptional storyteller" whose music projects break new ground. "We believe that the music Maestro Yu brings us is music of the future, and together, we are creating a new legacy for classical music," she said.

Timothy Xu (left), Universal Music Group Greater China chairman and CEO, and Kleopatra Sofroniou (right), general manager of Deutsche Grammophon, present an outstanding contribution award to conductor Long Yu in Shanghai, Dec. 16, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon]

Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Greater China, and Sofroniou presented Yu with an outstanding contribution award at the launch event for his impact on global classical music.

"Long Yu is an iconic figure in Chinese classical music. Not only has he made extraordinary contributions to bringing Chinese music to the global stage, but he has also closely linked Eastern and Western cultures through music," Xu said. "We look forward to working together on future artistic ventures to bring more exceptional works to the world stage."

Yu has elevated Chinese classical music's global presence over the past few decades. His partnership with DG, the classical music label under Universal Music Group, began in 2000 when, as one of China's most promising young conductors, he helped establish the China Philharmonic Orchestra and became its artistic director and chief conductor. That year, under Yu's leadership, the orchestra and DG collaborated on two landmark recordings, marking the first partnership between the German label and a Chinese symphony orchestra. These albums placed the orchestra on the global cultural map, establishing its international reputation. By blending Western classical masterpieces with orchestrations inspired by Chinese cultural elements, Yu introduced an innovative approach to classical music that has influenced orchestras throughout China.

As music director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Yu expanded his partnership with DG in 2018, leading projects that showcase the intersection of Eastern and Western musical traditions. Notable productions include "Gateways," which captures Shanghai's spirit, and Mahler and Ye Xiaogang's "Das Lied von der Erde," a pairing of symphonic works inspired by Tang dynasty poetry. Yu's latest major project, Aaron Zigman's oratorio "émigré," premiered in 2023 and 2024 in Shanghai and New York, telling a story through collaboration between the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Each project demonstrates Yu's ability to showcase Chinese culture globally while building cross-cultural connections, establishing his legacy in classical music.

In 2024, DG released "émigré" in digital and physical formats. The album cover shows Long Yu and Aaron Zigman on a boat drifting along a river, symbolizing what Yu called "a small boat sailing toward a bright and hopeful future." Yu's musical journey continues.