How did classical music become a thriving art form in China?

After being targeted for elimination during the Cultural Revolution, an unlikely visit by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1973 touched hearts and rekindled a love for the music despite years of silence.

Narrated by American and Chinese musicians and historians, the film explores the impact of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s historic tour on China both then and now. Renowned musicians, including Academy Award-winning composer Tan Dun, Philadelphia-trained famed classical pianist Lang Lang, Philadelphia Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and more, share their stories of how Beethoven’s music shaped their careers as China’s classical music scene boomed.

Featuring rare archival footage and first-person recollections, the documentary brings the 1973 visit to life alongside a behind-the-scenes look at present-day tours capturing the dynamism of China, from its new concert halls to its tens of thousands of young musicians.