Pan Yinlin has been first violinist for four orchestras during his 45 years of musical experience. He was also the first Chinese to become chief violinist of a foreign orchestra.
Pan will give a recital with the accompaniment of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in March.
Pan used to be first violinist of the Sydney Opera House Orchestra, and played in the building famous for its unique design.
"The sound facilities of the Shanghai Grand Theatre are not good enough, and the theatre could have been larger," he said in comparison with the Sydney Opera House.
Pan, 55, started playing violin at age 10 and joined the Shanghai Symphany Orchestra in the 1960s.
He played work adapted from Chinese folk music by Chen Gang, and achieved great success. Pan went to Japan in early 1980s and became first violinist of the Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra. Pan worked in Sydney Opera House's Orchestra for a year and left for Japan where musicians were better paid.
He hopes to promote classical music among locals.
"The violin is a musical instrument that can reach people of all ages," Pan said. "People are easily moved by the melodies."
He will play "The Butterfly Lovers" and Rachmaninov's Second Symphony at the concert. Chen Xieyang will be the conductor for the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
( Shanghai Star February 21, 2002)
