THE FILM THE MESSAGE

BEETHOVEN IN starts with a Why this film? And why now? You won’t find forgotten moment in history, when President those answers in the headlines. The news Nixon secured an invitation to have his favorite tends to distract us from a fascinating story visit the People’s Republic of that is unfolding as we speak. and help renew relations after decades of isolation. The Orchestra’s 1973 The public vaguely assumes that classical tour was a tentative gesture of cultural music is in decline. But if you look closely, diplomacy that resonates yet today, as China you’ll conclude that it’s more accurate to say produces a new generation of musicians, erects that this 400-year-old art form has been dozens of new concert halls and sends talent to disrupted by globalism and technology, and is join around the world. emerging newly transformed.

How did this happen? This film explores the So ignore the naysayers and enjoy awakening in vivid stories from the people who BEETHOVEN IN BEIJING. Here you will lived it then—like the Chinese musicians who see how and where orchestral music is nervously greeted Maestro — flourishing, and learn the remarkable story and who live it today, including Oscar-winning behind this resurgence. The film reveals how composer Tan Dun and renowned pianist Lang this artistic reawakening in China—where Lang, who both credit the Philadelphians with music education is now a priority and concert inspiring their careers. halls are filled with young families—is energizing the world of music. Archival footage and first-person recollections from American and Chinese musicians bring to Beethoven fever in China and around the globe life that 1973 visit, while behind-the-scenes is spiking this year, the 250th anniversary of access on recent tours captures the dynamism his birth. The Philadelphia Orchestra is of present-day China, from its sparkling new reaching back to its past in China to help define concert halls to its tens of thousands of its future. Its continued touring of China enthusiastic young musicians. The result, provides both revenue and a reminder of complete with a sublime symphonic soundtrack, music’s universal appeal—how that emotional is a compelling look at the transcendent power response fosters a shared sense of humanity. of music. — SAM KATZ, producer

“…archivally rich, ideologically balanced, and compelling American story.” — Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film

CONTACT Jennifer Lin • (267) 254-4451 • [email protected] • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter

ACCOLADES “The Philadelphia Orchestra touched the soul of me.” BEETHOVEN IN BEIJING was a 2020 finalist — Tan Dun, Composer for the prestigious Library of Congress

Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, which recognizes U.S. historical documentaries. The THE FILMMAKERS film has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the JENNIFER LIN is a veteran reporter and Humanities and a Pennsylvania Film former China correspondent for The Production Tax Credit. Philadelphia Inquirer, who created the film with co-director SHARON MULLALLY, BEETHOVEN IN BEIJING won an honorable an Emmy Award-winning documentary mention for best local film at the Philadelphia filmmaker; and producer SAM KATZ, founder Film Festival and was named best historical of History Making Productions. HMP has documentary at the San Antonio Film Festival. dramatized more than three centuries of Philadelphia history in its acclaimed 14- Other festivals include: episode series Philadelphia: The Great ★ Big Apple Film Festival Experiment. The film’s consulting producer is ★ Berkshire International Film Festival JINDONG CAI, director of the U.S.-China ★ Heartland International Film Festival Music Institute at Bard College. ★ Newport Beach Film Festival ★ Hamptons Doc Fest ★ Chagrin Documentary Film Festival ★ Fort Lauderdale Film Festival ★ Scottsdale International Film Festival ★ DocUtah ★ Albuquerque Film & Music Experience ★ Three Rivers Film Festival ★ Classical Arts Film Festival

Great Performances will broadcast BEETHOVEN IN BEIJING nationally on PBS in 2021.

“...a glimpse into the birth of the most extensive musical exchange between two countries at any point in history.” — Yoheved Kaplinsky, The Juilliard School

CONTACT Jennifer Lin • (267) 254-4451 • [email protected] • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter