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(Beijing, China) - Earlier this year, the National Center for the
Performing Arts in Beijing conducted a worldwide search for pianos
for its music spaces. When the decisions were made, Kawai and
Shigeru Kawai pianos comprised 17 of the 22 instruments selected.
Now, with an impressive collection of new Kawai and Shigeru Kawai
pianos (including a Shigeru Kawai concert grand), the National
Center is ready for the worldwide attention of the Beijing
Olympics.
Designed by French architect Paul Andreu and known as The Egg,
the National Centre for Performing Arts in Beijing opened in 2007.
The futuristic building is an ellipsoid dome of titanium and glass
surrounded by a large reflecting pool. It is said to look like an
egg floating on water.
Home to the China National Symphony Orchestra, it is one of
several large new architectural showpieces commissioned by the
Chinese government to be built in time for the 2008 Beijing
Olympics. With a total construction cost of more than $330 million,
the complex includes three performance spaces - a 2,416-seat opera
house, a 2,017-seat concert hall and a 1,040-seat theater.
According to Chinese officials, the complex is the largest
performing arts center in the world, twice as big as the Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. It was designed as an
iconic feature that would be immediately recognizable. Since its
opening, "The Center" has seen performances by famous international
conductors Valery Gergiev and Seiji Ozawa, sopranos Kathleen Battle
and Kiri Te Kanawa, and the New York Philharmonic among others. |
