Lorin Varencove Maazel will lead the Phiharmonia Orchestra for a fabulous performance at NCPA next Thursday.

Maazel was born to a musical family. He took his first conducting lesson at age 7 and made his debut a year later. At 11, he guest conducted the NBC Symphony Orchestra on the radio. The year after, he toured the United States to conduct major orchestras. He made his violin debut at age 15 and later studied at the University of Pittsburgh.

He was depicted conducting Vienna's New Year concert on a 2005 Austrian postage stamp.

Beijing cello player Zhao Jing will join the lineup to add a local element to the performance. The program includes Mahler: Symphony No 5 and Cello Concerto No 1 in C Major.

7:30 pm, April 5. 200-980 yuan. NCPA, 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-2208/2218.