A poster for the Beautiful Sunday series of public benefit concerts. Images courtesy of SZ Concert Hall

Shenzhen Concert Hall continues its public benefit series this March with a colorful lineup featuring wind music, chamber pieces, and unforgettable melodies from classical films and shows.

Piano and vocal recital

Pianist Claudia Yang (L) and soprano Xu Xiaoyu.

This afternoon, Chinese-American pianist Claudia Yang and soprano Xu Xiaoyu will jointly perform a concert. Yang, former honorary chair of the piano department at the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, has been hailed by conductor Lorin Maazel as “a pianist who can perform with her soul.” She received a medal from the Hungarian government for her outstanding interpretations of Liszt's works and later jointly won the Austrian Music Theater Award with tenor Plácido Domingo. Soprano Xu currently serves as a lecturer and vocal coach at the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra and China National Symphony Orchestra.

Together, they will bring romantic pieces like Francis Poulenc's "Les chemins de l'amour" and the Chinese song "In the Corner of Water." They will also perform audience favorites such as "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon," Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," Liszt's "Dreams of Love," Beethoven's "Adelaide," and Debussy's "Children's Corner." Attendees will also hear heart-stirring melodies from films like "Pride and Prejudice" and "The Piano."

Time: 3 p.m., March 1

Tickets: 10-30 yuan

Viva! Pipers

Viva! Pipers.

Viva! Pipers, a woodwind quintet composed of five young Hong Kong-based musicians, will take the audience on a fun musical journey across classical and modern eras. Since its establishment in 2014, the quintet has been known for its unique style featuring engaging audience interaction and humorous, vivid interpretations. They have collaborated with renowned groups including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and Macao Orchestra.

For this performance, audiences will hear themes from the classic Pixar animation "Toy Story" and melodies from Miyazaki films such as "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro." The program also includes jazz classics like "Take Five," the passionate "Tico-Tico no Fubá," and "Jealousy Tango."

Time: 3 p.m., March 15

Tickets: 10-30 yuan

Lecture: operatic romance

Mou Wenhao, principal conductor of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater (SZODT).

Mou Wenhao, principal conductor of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater (SZODT), will give a lecture on operas at the end of March. Using two Italian comic operas —Mozart's "Così fan tutte" and Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore" — as a starting point, he will explore how opera employs humor and satire to reveal humanity's emotional turmoil and shifting societal norms.

The lecture will also feature outstanding SZODT singers performing classic excerpts from the operas live. Admission is free.

Time: 3 p.m., March 29

Afternoon Music Time

On March 7, this free concert series will offer a wave of nostalgia with music from Chinese films and TV series such as "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," "Plum Blossom Trio," "The Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain," and "The Return of the Condor Heroes." The concert will feature young pianists Chen Bei and Chen Zhili, pipa player Yang Yingying, zheng player Lin Hongyan, along with four young vocalists —Pan Zhiying, Cao Jinfei, Cai Liang, and Wang Di — and narrator Zhao Liyuan.

On March 21, Benjamin Moermond, a bassoon instructor at the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, will lead his outstanding students in a bassoon concert. The program includes Bach's "Air on the G String," Brahms's "Clarinet Trio," and excerpts from Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."

Benjamin Moermond.

Reserve free tickets through Shenzhen Concert Hall's official WeChat account (ID: szyinyuet).

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音樂廳)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit D