One of the world's best violin virtuosos, Nigel Kennedy, will join a star-studded line-up for this year's Beijing Music Festival (BMF). Kennedy's recording of "Four Seasons" is the best-selling classical work of all time more than 2 million copies have been sold and also released an album of Jimi Hendrix rock song covers.

BMF program director Zeng Wei said the world's best classical musicians will join local artists to raise the festival's standard to its highest level. Pianist Lang Lang will collaborate with six or seven world-known orchestras. Other renowned musicians include the pianist Daniel Barenboim and cellist Mischa Maisky.

In addition, BMF has commissioned Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki and Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang to create works for this year's festival. It is the first time the BMF has commissioned composers for the event.

About 10 days longer than the previous years, the 10th Beijing Music Festival will run from late September to early November.

Started in 1998 by conductor Yu Long, the BMF has established itself as one of the best annual cultural events in China and one of the world's top festivals of classic music. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Arts Foundation of the Beijing Music Festival will hold a seminar this month and to review its achievements and plan its future.

Representatives from the Chinese Musicians' Association, China Central Conservatory of Music, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Opera House and the China Academy of Arts will take part.

The Arts Foundation of BMF will also sponsor musicians on a composing trip to Tibet in June and publish a book to mark the 10th anniversary in August.

(China Daily April 4, 2007)