Although classical music has a well established canon, the Venezuelan believes it is important to avoid routine, and to always play a piece like it is the first time. "It's not to be humble in an acting way,but really to be honest in this humble position as an artist," he says of the way he puts himself in front of masterpieces created by geniuses like Sibelius, Beethoven, Bach and Shostakovich.

"We are recreating the masterpiece through our instruments." "Every note is a universe," he says, quoting Mahler. "The universe is infinite, expanding and transforming everything, all the time. That's the way music is to me. "When I sit in front of a piece, I try to think in the way the composer was thinking, also how I can achieve my interpretation to arrive a little closer to the level, where we never arrived before, to the way of thinking of the composer."

Long history 

While the concert hall is new, the resident Shanghai Symphony Orchestra dates back to 1879. It began as the Shanghai Public Band, conducted by French flutist Jean Remusat. The band became known as "the greatest orchestra in the Far East" in the early 20th century.

Now the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra carries on with the mission to "communicate with the world through music", according to director Chen Guangxian.

The first music season in the new hall continues through June 28, with a concert about every three days. Starting with the Vienna Philharmonic, a series of world famous companies, such as London Philharmonic Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic and North German Radio Symphony Orchestra, will present concerts at the venue.