In November 2019, three conducting students from the mdw (Carlo Benedetto-Cimento, Alexey Mikhaylenko, and I) had the honour of being invited to participate in the “1^st International Conducting Masterclass of the CCOM – Central Conservatory of Music Beijing and the mdw – University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna” in Beijing, China. This invitation was a result of the years-long and close cooperation between the two institutions as well as of the mdw’s constantly high position in the international rankings of the world’s best music universities.

The entire masterclass was held on the campus of the CCOM, one of Asia’s best music universities, where the participants also stayed. The university is huge and modern – although it features traditional architecture – and also the residence for the over 3,000 students.

The hospitality shown to us was tremendous: the CCOM organised our entire stay for us, including meals and communication, in the form of a young student who acted as our interpreter and guide.

The masterclass was held by Prof. Yu Feng, conductor and president of the CCOM, and Prof. Chen Lin, head of the Conducting Department. It was a “laboratory of conducting”: Each day we had several hours of instruction and rehearsals with the orchestra. This was a great privilege because we were able to work on the precise details and deep interpretation of a work, which was made possible through the close communication with a professional orchestra (a rare occurrence in the life of a conducting student).

Working with Prof. Yu was very inspiring, particularly in view of his personal qualities, his musicality – which is based on deep insights and long years of experience – and the discovery of new techniques different than those we learn in the West. An emphasis of his conducting teaching is the great musicality of gestures using few words, to which the orchestra reacts quickly and precisely.

The playing of the symphony orchestra of the CCOM is top-flight, with a great deal of tonal colour, flexibility, and expression, and we were surprised to learn that a number of the members had even studied in Vienna. The orchestra members played an active role in the course of the masterclass: through their interventions, we learned first-hand what an orchestra musician needs and wants. We were endlessly appreciative of their constructive comments, their efforts, and their great commitment.

At the end of the masterclass, we conducted a concert at the CCOM’s Opera and Concert Hall. The programme included works by J. Strauss, Debussy, Stravinsky, R. Strauss, and Puccini, and the conductors also included young conductors from the conservatory, with whom we had shared thoughts and experiences over the course of the masterclass. A great honour (and surprise) after the concert was being greeted by Zheng Xiaojing, China’s first female conductor and former CCOM president. Following the concert, we joined the professors Yu and Chen and the students for a lovely dinner to celebrate the end of the event.

On the last day, we took a tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The entire palace complex is enchanting; one senses above all great respect, humility, and harmony, as well as the deep connection between the people and their history. Particularly interesting is the restoration of the Temple: some areas have remained intentionally unrestored as a symbol of the passage of time and impermanence.

VBefore our return to Vienna, we were treated to a congenial dinner with the members of the orchestra.

The entire week had a great influence on our thoughts, our conducting, and our music-making. At this stage of our lives, it was essential for us to have contact with various musical perspectives outside of our Viennese School of Conducting. It was a great honour and pleasure for us to take part in this first masterclass, and we are infinitely grateful to the CCOM, and to Prof. Yu and Prof. Chen for their generosity, energy, and teaching. Finally, we would like to extend special thanks to the mdw for its support!