Tchaikovsky like you’ve never heard before—jazzed up and reimagined. Renowned jazz guitarist and composer Xu Zhihan leads his orchestra in a bold fusion of classical and jazz, breathing new life into Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and more. A fresh, unexpected spin on the Russian maestro’s greatest hits.

You might have been enchanted by the romance of Swan Lake, mesmerized by the elegance of The Nutcracker, or stirred by the depth of the 1812 Overture—whenever Tchaikovsky comes to mind, his symphonies of love and tragedy seem to echo in the air, intertwining with ballet’s graceful movements. For over a century, musicians around the world have performed his grand, refined, and majestic compositions. But you’ve never heard Tchaikovsky quite like this.

Presented by the genre-blending jazz virtuoso Xu Zhihan and his Jazz Orchestra, When Tchaikovsky Meets Jazz is set to take the stage. Hailed across Europe for his boundary-pushing jazz interpretations, Xu and his ensemble will bring the spontaneity and vibrance of jazz to Tchaikovsky’s masterpieces. This performance breaks from tradition, offering a fresh, dynamic reimagining of the Russian composer’s timeless works—a seamless fusion of classical and jazz in an unforgettable musical conversation across centuries.

Sample program:
The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: No. 3, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
1812 Overture, Op. 49
Swan Lake, Op. 20
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64 – Selected movements
Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36 – III. Scherzo. Pizzicato ostinato. Allegro
Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, "Pathétique" – II. Allegro con grazia

(Final program subject to change.)

About Xu Zhihan

Composer, jazz guitarist, and conductor Xu Zhihan is a JZ Music artist and jazz guitar professor at Xinghai Conservatory of Music. Holding dual doctoral degrees in jazz composition and jazz guitar from Munich University of Music and Performing Arts and Nuremberg University of Music, he is the only musician in China with this distinction.

Awarded the prestigious DAAD scholarship and second place in the Junger Münchner Jazzpreis 2020, Xu is known for his intricate rhythms and complex melodic lines, offering fresh perspectives on diverse musical styles. Having lived in Germany for years, he has been heavily influenced by European jazz, composing across a wide spectrum—from small ensembles and chamber music to jazz big bands and orchestral works. In 2019, his jazz orchestra was invited by the Munich government to perform a dedicated concert for International Jazz Day in Grafing, earning widespread acclaim and coverage in Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s largest newspaper.

As an active performer on the global stage, Xu has played at major festivals including the Bayerischer Rundfunk International Jazz Day, Munich Jazz Fest, Leverkusener Jazztage, Würzburg Jazz Tage, and more. In China, he has performed at the Beijing Nine Gates Jazz Festival, JZ Festival Shanghai, Guangzhou Jazz Festival, MISA Shanghai Summer Music Festival, and Changchun Jazz Festival.

Lineup:

Composer/Guitar: Xu Zhihan

Strings:
Shanze Ensemble
Violin: Chen Hongda / Deng Yinying / Xu Jiahao / Zheng Heng
Viola: Yu Shujin
Cello: Wang Jiayan

Woodwinds:
Flute: Dang Yaxin
Clarinet: Huang Yichuan
Oboe: Lü Zhaoqi
Alto/Soprano Saxophone & Flute: Chen Xinlu
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet & Bass Clarinet: Alec Haavik

Brass:
Trumpet/Flugelhorn: Liu Xuanyue / Jiang Yidu
Trombone/Bass Trombone: Cao Kan

Rhythm Section:
Piano: Deng Yameng
Bass: Pan Ruilin
Drums: Xu Zhitong

• Jazz & Concerts
• JZ Festival