Internationally Acclaimed Pianist Behzod Abduraimov Reunites with the HK Phil for Belt and Road Concert 

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Dennis Wu
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Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: dennis.wu@hkphil.org 

Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
Email: emily.hui@hkphil.org

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[15 September 2025, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) welcomes the return of pianist Behzod Abduraimov in “Swire Proudly Sponsors: Belt & Road | Long Yu & Behzod Abduraimov”, a programme of Russian masterworks conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Long Yu. Praised for his “magic touch” (The Times), the internationally acclaimed Uzbek pianist made his debut with the HK Phil in 2015 presenting Rachmaninov’s Third Concerto. A decade later, he returns for his third collaboration with the orchestra, this time performing the composer’s much-loved Second Concerto. 

HK Phil and Swire share a common vision of promoting Hong Kong as a global arts and culture hub. Sponsored by Swire for the second consecutive year, the Belt and Road concert aims to foster cultural exchange by presenting musicians and masterpieces from Belt-and-Road countries. The evening begins with Mussorgsky’s Khovanshchina: Dawn on the Moskva River, a prelude often performed as a standalone piece and a favourite concert opener. Unfolding with stillness and clarity, the piece paints a tranquil yet majestic vision of daybreak over the river, evoking both timeless natural beauty and the undercurrents of historical change. This poetic opening offers a moment of quiet reflection before the programme embarks on its wider emotional and historical journey. 

The concert continues with one of the most celebrated works in the repertoire for piano and orchestra: Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. Its premiere in 1901, with the composer as the soloist, marked a significant turning point in his life and career after years of depression, and secured his reputation as one of the greatest Russian composers of the 20^th century. Abduraimov, who has performed with leading orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony and the Munich Philharmonic, brings to the performance his hallmark passion and virtuosity. 

The programme concludes with Rimsky-Korsakov’s beloved Scheherazade, op. 35. Inspired by the Tales of the Arabian Nights, also known as The 1001 Nights, this richly coloured score tells stories from the ancient Arabic world, Persia, and India. A former sailor, Rimsky-Korsakov vividly captures seafaring adventures in musical notes. Under Long Yu’s baton, the HK Phil will guide the audience through a diverse palette of soundscapes and timeless storytelling, bringing this cross-cultural programme to a splendid close. 

“Swire Proudly Sponsors: Belt & Road | Long Yu & Behzod Abduraimov” will be held on 27 September 2025 (Sat) at 5PM at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced at HK$520, $420, $320, and $220 are available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org. 

Title Sponsor: Swire 

Supporting Organisation: Belt and Road Office, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR 

The concert is one of the programmes of the Asia+ Festival 2025 

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Artists 

Long Yu, conductor [full description] 

Hailed by The New York Times as “the most powerful figure in China’s classical music scene”, the conductor and impresario Long Yu has devoted his illustrious career to steering China’s growing connection to classical music. Maestro Yu currently holds the top position in the country’s most prominent orchestras: Artistic Director of the China Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing, and Music Director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He is also the Principal Guest Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, co-director of Shanghai’s Music in the Summer Air festival, and Chair of the Artistic Committee of the Beijing Music Festival. He is currently Vice President of the China Musicians Association and Chairman of its League of China Orchestras. 

Behzod Abduraimov, piano [full description]  

Behzod Abduraimov’s performances combine an immense depth of musicality with phenomenal technique and delicacy. He performs with many of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, and his critically acclaimed recordings have set a new standard for the piano repertoire. Behzod has a number of notable debuts in the 2025/26 season including with the New York Philharmonic and National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D.C.), both with Gianandrea Noseda. Other concerto performances include Houston and Pittsburgh Symphonies as well as Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Frankfurt Opern- und Museumsorchester and Hong Kong Philharmonic. 

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Swire Proudly Sponsors: 

Belt and Road | Long Yu & Behzod Abduraimov 

27 | 9 | 2025 

SAT 5PM 

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall 

HK$520 $420 $320 $220 

Tickets now available at URBTIX  

For ages 6 and above 

Artists

Programme