According to Ren, the new season is themed with Tales of Home, "because the China NCPA Orchestra is like a big family, full of love".

"Home gives us warmth and a sense of security and belonging. We also consider music our spiritual home, which is a place to relax, rest and escape," says Ren. "From a broader view, we want to present music to the audience from the hearts of the musicians and offer the audience warmth, happiness and moments of peace."

Highlights of this new season will have international musicians returning to the NCPA.

On Oct 27 and 28, Daniele Gatti, who was named the new chief conductor by the Staatskapelle Dresden this July, will visit the NCPA to give a concert along with the China NCPA Orchestra, playing Brahms' Tragic Overture, Op 81, Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn, Op 56a and Symphony No 3 in F Major, Op 90.

From Nov 1 to 5, Zubin Mehta will return to the NCPA after eight years, conducting Verdi's opera Aida.

On Nov 3 and 4, South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun will lead the orchestra, along with pianist Bruce Liu, who is the winner of the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition, performing Chopin's Piano Concerto No 1 in E Minor, Op 11 and Brahms' Symphony No 2 in D Major, Op 73.

On Nov 11, the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform with the China NCPA Orchestra and cellist Jan Vogler under the baton of conductor Su Yifan, featuring Chen Qigang's L'Eloignement, Leonard Bernstein's Divertimento for Orchestra and Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op 104.