Tongjia Hu: Playing the beautiful saxophone letting music "blossom along the way"
09 October 2025
Newsdesk
On July 28, 2025, by the Songhua River with its gentle summer ambience, Chinese performer Tongjia Hu took the stage in Harbin at "Project Ensemble World – Global Saxophone Collaboration" as a member of the "China-Korea-France-Italy" music ensemble. The melodious sound of her saxophone, like a murmuring stream, lingered in the audience's ears. The next day, at the opening performance of the 20th World Saxophone Congress in Harbin, she performed the large-scale saxophone ensemble piece "Philippe Geiss KYDDO" alongside fellow musicians. The atmosphere was electric, receiving widespread acclaim. The audience, immersed in his moving tone, entered a pure musical land where classical and modern intertwined, adding a rich and brilliant stroke to the entire event.
Tongjia Hu once said that his relationship with music is that of "soulmates," growing together. Growing up in culturally rich China, He developed a deep curiosity for music from a young age and desired to travel further and more solidly on this path. Starting his adolescence, He began systematic musical training. In France, He not only developed strong musical thinking and a solid technical foundation but also earned a DEM diploma. Subsequently, He went to Belgium, the birthplace of the saxophone, to deepen his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Immersed in a rich artistic atmosphere, he cultivated her musical character and earned a Bachelor's degree. Driven by an infinite love for music, he continued his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, earning a Master's degree with outstanding results and being praised by his mentors as a "student with immense artistic potential." He has now completed her PGDip studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, continually expanding his artistic boundaries.
Studying under masters such as Alain Crepin, Vincent David, Josef Pacrwicz, Andrew Somerville, and Gerard McChrystal, Tongjia Hu opened the "door to music" within a multicultural context, gradually forming a performance style that is inclusive and balances technique with musicality. He excels not only in classical music but is also adept at modern works, demonstrating an ability to interpret across styles and eras.
His artistic awakening began in China, followed by rigorous academic training in France, absorption of classical tradition in Belgium, and immersion in the diverse artistic ecology of the UK – all of which forged his exceptional performance capabilities and earned his repeated recognition in competitions both domestically and internationally.
Since 2021, Tongjia Hu has frequently appeared on international stages. He won first and second prizes in competitions in places like Sarzana and Massa, Italy, revealing extraordinary musical talent. In 2024, he was awarded first prize in both the Leman Lake International Winds Competition and the UK Music International Competition, and also won third prize in the Gold International Classical Music Competition, being hailed in the industry as a promising "future music star."
Versatile Interpretation, Transcending Stylistic Boundaries Tongjia Hu shines not only as a soloist but also demonstrates diverse talents in chamber music, as an ensemble principal, and in interpreting contemporary works. In 2019, he collaborated with the Shenyang Conservatory of Music Orchestra to perform Glazunov's "Saxophone Concerto," delivering a stunning audio-visual experience. In chamber music, he served as the lead soprano saxophonist in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Saxophone Ensemble, reinventing classics with innovative thinking. In Dinant, Belgium, the birthplace of the saxophone, he performed with the Royal Conservatory of Brussels Saxophone Orchestra under the baton of composer Vladimir Cosma, achieving a perfect musical interpretation and passing on the torch of saxophone art.
He continuously expands her repertoire, performing numerous classic and modern works: capturing the colors of French Impressionism precisely in Ravel's "Sonatine"; resonating deeply with listeners through expressive performance in Debussy's "Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Piano"; demonstrating exquisite technique in Ibert's "Concertino da Camera"; and unleashing a powerful performance in Desenclos' "Prélude, Cadence et Finale." Each piece reflects his profound understanding and masterful command of the music.
Music Legacy and Social Impact Tongjia Hu firmly believes that music is not merely a display of skill but also a communication of the soul and a continuation of culture. In 2020, he served as a saxophone instructor at China's Xinhua Di Music School, meticulously guiding students and conveying the cultural significance behind the instrument. Since 2019, he has been an endorsing artist for the JLV Ligature saxophone , using his influence to promote the art of music. Furthermore, he actively utilizes new media platforms to break temporal and spatial constraints, allowing more people to "enjoy music in the cloud," demonstrating the awareness and social responsibility of a modern musician.
Artistic Philosophy and Personal Pursuit "Music is my soulmate," is how Tongjia Hu describes his relationship with music. He views art as an integral part of life, constantly exploring the expressive possibilities of the saxophone in contemporary contexts. He is committed to breaking down geographical and stylistic boundaries, integrating Eastern and Western aesthetics, and bridging classical and modern contexts, thereby propelling the art of the saxophone forward.
On his musical path, Tongjia Hu not only creates beautiful melodies with his saxophone but also conveys the warmth of music through his actions. His performances are a dialogue between technique and soul, a fusion of culture and era. Just as he aspires – to let music transcend boundaries and blossom all along the way.
