Conductor Junping Qian, winner of the 2017 Jeunesses Musicales International Conducting Competition in Bucharest, will lead the Radio Chamber Orchestra in the concert scheduled for Wednesday, October 29th, 2025. On the occasion of his debut on the Radio Hall stage, the Chinese musician spoke with Ioana Țintea.

In the concert at the Radio Hall, you will collaborate for the first time with the Radio Chamber Orchestra. How are the rehearsals going, and what has impressed you most about this ensemble?

I like this orchestra very much. It's wonderful to work with the members of the ensemble, probably also because it's a smaller orchestra and the musicians truly listen to one another. With other ensembles, sometimes you get the feeling that people have a certain attitude: if something doesn't go well, everyone simply says, "It's not my fault, it's someone else's." But here, in this orchestra, I don't feel that at all. No one avoids or hides from responsibility, which I think is extremely valuable. The musicians support each other, and I believe that's one of the most precious things about this orchestra.

Let's turn our attention to the program you will conduct on Wednesday, October 29th, on the Radio Hall stage. Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 is often considered brighter and more energetic than his other symphonies. What is your vision of this work, and how would you describe it in relation to Beethoven's other symphonies?

I think it's a piece that brings a lot of joy and is quite suitable even for a chamber orchestra. The Fifth and Sixth Symphonies are very dramatic, and the Third is grand and long. Beethoven usually carries a heavy burden on his shoulders - the burden of history, of humanity, of great things. But when he writes "lighter" works, he proves he's just as capable of creating brilliant music. The Fourth Symphony is brighter and more relaxed, even happier compared to the Seventh. The Seventh seems to force a sense of joy, while the Fourth expresses happiness naturally, effortlessly.

Why did you choose this symphony?

I think Beethoven's Fourth Symphony is not performed very often and is, in a way, overlooked, because his other works are so powerful and grand. Also, if we look at the first half of the concert, with the two Schumann pieces, we can see that his music is not so optimistic - it's very sensitive. So, Beethoven's Fourth Symphony actually balances the overall mood of the concert.

In the two works by Robert Schumann that will open the evening at the Radio Hall, you will collaborate with cellist Răzvan Suma. How was your first rehearsal with the Romanian musician?

Răzvan is a very fine performer. He understands the music deeply and knows how it works. I value that very much in an artist, because music is not something fixed. Music is, in a way, like grammar - when you understand the rules, you can play freely with the language. He is a very spontaneous musician who knows the fundamental rules of music. That's why this collaboration brings me great joy.

The Romanian public has known you since 2017, when you won First Prize at the International Conducting Competition in Bucharest. How do you look back on that experience today?

That's how my relationship with Romania began. Since then, I've conducted many Romanian orchestras and experienced wonderful moments. The chemistry between me, as a conductor, and the Romanian orchestras has always been very good. The musicians are friendly, and something magical always happens during a concert. I am deeply grateful to this country and its musicians.