German cellist Jan Vogler vividly remembers his debut performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing in March 2023. He was thrilled to be one of the first foreign musicians to perform at the venue after the pandemic. During his recital, which lasted three hours, Vogler presented Bach's six complete cello suites.

Two years later, Vogler is returning to the NCPA, but this time, he will perform with Chinese musicians during the upcoming NCPA May Festival. The annual event, which shines a spotlight on the beauty and diversity of chamber music, began in 2009.

This year's festival, which takes place from May 1 to 25, includes 27 concerts by musicians from all over the world.

"For the past 15 years, the May music festival has focused on chamber music, connecting well-known artists and ensembles, exploring cross-genre collaborations, and making it accessible to a broader audience," says Wang Luli, deputy director of the NCPA's program management department. "This year, we will continue to celebrate the rich tradition of chamber music, while incorporating elements from jazz, classical guitar, a cappella, and other genres."

Vogler's participation will begin with the opening concerts on May 1 and 2, when he will perform Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello, M 73 with violinist Zhu Kaiyuan, and Tchaikovsky's Andante Cantabile alongside violinists Lyu Siqing, Huang Mengla, violist Su Zhen, and clarinetist Wang Tao.

"Chamber music has the wrong reputation," Vogler says, reflecting on his experience at the NCPA in Beijing on April 10. "People often think it is played by small groups with little energy, but the opposite is true. Composers often wrote chamber music for their friends, and poured their hearts into it. In the 19th century, in Germany, where I come from, many composers created their most celebrated music for the chamber, not orchestras.

"If you listen to these pieces, they are full of energy," he adds. "You might even feel more energy than you would at a large orchestral concert. Let's rethink the idea of chamber music."

Born into a musical family in Leipzig, Vogler credits chamber music as one of the driving forces behind his decision to become a cellist. "My parents would play chamber music with their friends at home. As a child, I was surrounded by the sound, and that's how I learned to play the cello."