Recently, Professor Christopher Chen, Director of the Center for Music Research, Original Composition and Performance Innovation at CUZ and Principal Guest Conductor of the Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra, successfully conducted a concert of compositions by Guan Xia at the Kazan Concert Hall, located in the cultural hub of Russia and capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Coinciding with this remarkable performance, Professor Chen was once again invited to serve as a jury member for the Conducting Division of the Rachmaninoff International Music Competition, further highlighting our university’s profound foundation and outstanding influence in the field of music and performing arts.
Established in 2022 by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of Russia, the Rachmaninoff International Music Competition is one of the world's premier musical competitions. It was launched in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and the designation of 2023 as the Year of Music in Russia. Comparable in prestige to the renowned Tchaikovsky International Competition, the Rachmaninoff Competition comprises three divisions: Piano, Composition, and Conducting—each with exceptionally high standards and rigorous selection procedures.
This year’s competition received 532 applications from 25 countries across five continents. After a highly selective preliminary round, only 65 musicians from countries including Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, the UK, Germany, and China were granted a coveted “musical passport” to perform in Moscow. Chinese participants stood out with their remarkable artistry and strong performances, winning several honors and drawing international acclaim.
As a past winner of the Karajan International Conducting Competition, Professor Chen’s role as a judge gave him unique insights into the strengths of the participating Chinese conductors. He offered high praise for their performances, stating:
“The excellent performance and adaptability of young Chinese conductors reflect the significant progress we have made in music education in recent years.”
Professor Chen’s reappointment as a jury member for this prestigious competition not only demonstrates his exceptional academic standing and professional achievements, but also serves as an inspirational model for aspiring young musicians at our university. Moving forward, we will continue to support and encourage CUZ’s faculty and students to engage in high-level international academic and artistic exchanges, further promoting discipline development and the cultivation of talented individuals with a global perspective—contributing actively to the advancement of music education and international cultural dialogue.
