Conductor Tan Lihua announces the new year concert by Beijing Symphony Orchestra on Dec 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Under the baton of conductor Tan Lihua, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra will stage a concert on Dec 31 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, celebrating the upcoming new year.

Western and Chinese pieces will be performed, including Ode to the Red Flag by Chinese composer Lyu Qiming, Symphony No 5, Op 67 by Beethoven and Symphony No 4 in F Minor, Op 36 by Tchaikovsky. Chinese baritone Xue Haoyin will sing a Chinese song, titled Tian An Jiu Zhou, composed by Ye Xiaogang, and erhu (two-stringed Chinese vertical fiddle) player Jiang Kemei will perform with the orchestra on a concerto, titled My Hometown Is Beijing.

Erhu player Jiang Kemei plays in Beijing on Dec 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Since 1996, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra has been performing at the Great Hall of the People every year to welcome the new year. After a four-year-long hiatus, the orchestra will return to the iconic venue.

The concert will also kick off a new year season in Beijing, featuring music, dance, drama and traditional Chinese operas. Highlight will include Saint Petersburg Ballet performing The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, and a concert by Anda Union featuring musicians from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

A string quartet of Beijing Symphony Orchestra plays in Beijing on Dec 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]