Sunday Feature: Global Classical Music - A New World Symphony

Three-part series in which Petroc Trelawny sets out to measure the impact of the new global enthusiasm for western classical music, asking if it is genuine or a short cut to improved international esteem. 2. New Orchestras, New Repertoire?: Petroc focuses on the new orchestras around the world: the Guangzhou Symphony, the Qatar Philharmonic, the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Sao Paulo Symphony orchestras. He talks to performers, audience members, organisers and government officials about the long-term ambitions for their respective ensembles. Will the current funding levels sustain? Are the audience numbers really growing and will the Western repertoire come to dominate or are they delivering something entirely new to their respective cities and ultimately to the rest of the world? Petroc also hears from composers and programmers who have to balance cultural ambition with economic pragmatism.