On March 20, the Kong Xiangdong × NYU Shanghai 2026 Spring Voices Concert was staged at the Shanghai Concert Hall. As one of the featured performances of the 41st Shanghai Spring International Music Festival, the concert brought together pianist Kong Xiangdong and the NYU Shanghai students, faculty, and staff for an evening of diverse musical expression and cross-cultural artistic dialogue.
Through a program that wove together classical repertoire and contemporary works, the concert served not only a reflection on his artistic journey, but also a space where music connected cultures. Nearly 170 Chinese and international students, faculty and staff members from the NYU Shanghai Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Choir took part in the performance.
Kong said he was honored to mark the 40th anniversary of his stage career through this concert alongside the NYU Shanghai community. “Thanks to the wholehearted support of every participant who made this gathering possible, the city of Shanghai was able to hear the voice of NYU Shanghai. I hope that voice will continue to grow through our shared love for music, learning, and life,” he said.
As an international university rooted in Shanghai and connected to the world, NYU Shanghai has long sought to bring together arts education and cross-cultural exchange. Performing Arts Area Head and Associate Arts Professor of Music Cheng Yue, who served as conductor of the concert, said the collaboration was more than just a stage production, but also an extension of teaching and practice.
Cheng also highlighted Kong Xiangdong’s work with students since being appointed professor-at-large after serving as commencement speaker last year. “His artistic journey, from Shanghai to the world, and back again, offers students multiple ways of thinking about art, life, and cultural identity,” he said.
The concert concluded on a high note as Kong led the performers on stage and the audience in the hall in a rendition of “The Same Song” by Meng Weidong. In that moment, the performance extended beyond the stage and into the audience, creating a shared emotional connection through a familiar melody and bringing the evening to a heartfelt close.