Symphony Kukai, which tells the story of the life and spirit of the renowned Japanese Buddhist monk Kukai, had its European premiere on Saturday at Central Hall Westminster in London, following its initial staging in China and Japan last August.

The production features nearly 150 musicians from around the world and takes place in a concert hall with nearly 1,800 audiences.

Yue Yongde, the representative of the producer Tianguzhiyin Culture Media Co Ltd said, "We have been dedicated to promoting Kukai through various means – including publishing Kukai's books, producing documentaries, and creating music about him – since 2001."

"Kukai's spirit is universal, transcending language, culture, nationality, and even time." he added.

Composed by Zou Ye, a renowned composer with the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the symphony was completed in 2023 to commemorate the 1,250th anniversary of Kukai's birth and to celebrate Sino-Japanese friendship.

The symphony is divided into six chapters, recounting the life and spirit of Kukai, who traveled to China in 804 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), where he studied under Master Huiguo and formed a profound bond with him.

After finishing his studies, Kukai returned to Japan in 806, where he spread Buddhism widely and introduced culture and advanced technologies from the Tang Dynasty in a systematic and comprehensive manner that benefited the Japanese people.

"Kukai is an incomparably great person," Yue said. "His compassion, wisdom, and determination to save all beings are qualities that can touch the heart of audiences worldwide, whether they are from China, Japan, or the West. Compassion is something that exists within everyone and is especially important in a time when disputes, doubts, and conflicts are widespread. Music has the power to awaken this compassion."

Kukai was performed last year by the China Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Lanzhou Grand Theater in Gansu province on Aug 1, in collaboration with the Lanzhou Concert Hall Chorus. The team then performed the piece in Japan on Aug 18 and 19, at the Kyoto Concert Hall and the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.

Unlike last year's performances, the European premiere of Kukai featured a highly international collaboration, including the UK's Orpheus Sinfonia, the Scherzo Ensemble, and the London Chinese Philharmonic Choir, as well as the Choir of the Central Conservatory of Music from China.

In addition, lyrics for the choir part were added in the first and second chapters of the symphony to more comprehensively and accurately restore the true essence of Kukai, and all lyrics were sung in Chinese by musicians from different parts of the world.

Raise Taylor, CEO of Orpheus Sinfonia, said: "I think the message in Kukai's story, about the way you just care for the people around you, is really global and it is an important thing for us to share because it doesn't get spoken about enough. It's a privilege for us to be able to do so."

British conductor Derrick Morgan described the music as "absolutely beautiful" and added: "For English speaking audiences, no matter whether you understand the language, the story comes across in the music and it really touches the heart. The essence of the story of Master Kukai, who is a legend not in the fictional sense, is still influencing people's daily lives over 1,000 years later.

"It's my first time being able to conduct it and shape it and to work with a wonderful group of both Chinese and UK musicians in this intercontinental collaboration."

"I really enjoyed the performance, and I think everybody had a smile in the end," Morgan said.

Violinist Emmanuel Webb said: "It's very satisfying to play it. It's a testament to the composers and I think it will stand the test of time."

Singer Marie-Paule Lane said: "What is interesting is that the concert is based on the story of a Japanese monk, so for me, it is like a discovery of a new culture because I'm not 100 percent Asian. And so I admire the fact that people can sing together, and I can see that there's a mixture between Asian singers and with European singers. That's the beauty of it."

Minister Counselor for Cultural Affairs at China's Embassy in the UK Li Liyan, Lord Mayor of Westminster Robert Rigby, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Rohitha Bogollagama, First Secretary in the Cultural section of the Japanese Embassy in UK Junko Nakaji and many other guests also attended the concert.

Kukai is also scheduled to be performed in New Zealand and Osaka, Japan in January and July of next year.

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