As part of the ‘NKUA in the City’ series, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens welcomed the Nanjing University Traditional Instruments Orchestra for a special concert held on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, in the Great Hall of the University’s historic main building.
The event offered a rare glimpse into the richness and refinement of traditional Chinese music through the performances of the thirty-member ensemble from Nanjing University. The concert was met with great enthusiasm by a distinguished audience that filled the hall throughout the evening.
The orchestra comprises undergraduate and postgraduate students from a wide range of disciplines at Nanjing University, one of China’s leading higher education institutions. Its repertoire spans large-scale orchestral pieces, smaller ensemble works, and solo performances featuring string, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Drawing inspiration from the cultural heritage of the Yangtze River region, home to Nanjing University, the orchestra brings to the stage the elegance, richness, and expressive vitality of the area’s long-standing musical traditions. Through years of rigorous rehearsal, it has shaped a vibrant, invigorating and innovative artistic style, while also establishing an extensive repertoire.
The musicians delivered a performance marked by exceptional artistic sensitivity, expressive depth, and remarkable ensemble cohesion. Particularly striking was the discipline and technical precision displayed by the young performers, whose interpretation combined refinement with emotional immediacy. The evening left a lasting impression on those in attendance and was received with sustained and heartfelt applause from members of the University community and the wider Athenian public alike.
The full concert recording is available below.
Photos: Dimitris Konstantinidis
