Shanghai Players Arrive, Driven On by Their Titan: conductor Long yu

By DAVID BARBOZA

Bonko Chan, a Shanghai businessman and longtime supporter of music and the arts here, said the choice was simple. “Yu Long is filling a big gap,” he said. “Here is someone who knows music. He has management talent, great P.R. skill, and he knows the government. I can’t find anyone else in China with those skills.”

Mr. Yu’s detractors (and there are plenty) refuse to be quoted by name for fear of offending such a powerful government-appointed figure. They say his skills are more political than musical.

But Mr. Yu says his achievements are indisputable. He has been a guest conductor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This year Gramophone, a leading British classical music publication, named the China Philharmonic one of the world’s 10 most inspiring orchestras.

“It matters if you are capable of running things well,” Mr. Yu said. “I’m working hard. I’m sleepless. But I have a very high standard.”

complete article here.