Connection beyond boundaries: a symphonic work inspired by Esoteric Buddhism, Symphony Kūkai to be performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall

Statue of 8th-century Japanese Master Kūkai

The 8th-century Japanese Master Kūkai journeyed across the sea to Tang-China to study Esoteric Buddhism under the revered monk, Master Huiguo. Returning to Japan in the year 806, he brought the essence of the Tang dynasty back to Japan, shaping the cultural foundation of the country - a lot of the social systems we associate with present day Japan initiated during this time and are a consequence of Kūkai.

A new work, the only large-scale symphonic work inspired by Esoteric Buddhism, intends to convey this in music. Composer Zou Ye's Symphony Kūkai is being presented at the Royal Festival Hall on 30 January 2026 in collaboration with Beijing Tianguzhiyin Culture Media Ltd. The conductor is Takuo Yuasa and the orchestra is being joined by the London Philharmonic Choir and Central Conservatory of Music Choir of China.

Master Kūkai

The work began as a film, commissioned by the Chinese entrepreneur Mr Yongde Yue. This was a documentary about Master Kūkai that had music by Zou Ye. Zou Ye (born 1957) is a Chinese modern classical and film music composer. He was from the first generation of musical composition graduates from the Wuhan Conservatory of Music (then named the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts), when such education resumed with the end of the Cultural Revolution.

Ye's music for the film was well received and when difficulties arose in getting a licence for the film in China, in order to not lose the music it was decided to create a separate work which became Symphony Kūkai. After performances of the work in Japan, the overwhelming feedback of the audience suggested that it was not just an ancient story. The message of the symphony was universal, and the creators were encouraged to think of taking the work to the rest of the world.

The performance at the Royal Festival Hall is a step up from the smaller scale performances of the work hitherto and will be aimed at a wider audience rather than simply the Chinese community. The performance on 30 January was designed to take place before Chinese New Year 2026 (17 February) and requires a significant amount of cooperation as the London Philharmonic Choir will be singing the work in Mandarin, which is a challenge for English-speaking singers.

The Japanese conductor, Takuo Yuasa has worked with a number of British orchestras. He was principal guest conductor of the Ulster Orchestra and recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He is known for enjoying challenging projects and has not only added some corrections/revisions to the score but has had very precise requirements for the Eastern percussion instruments used in the piece. It turns out that in Japan, Yuasa lives in the shadow of Mount Koya where Master Kūkai's temple is and that Yuasa is devoted to the same strain of Buddhism as Kūkai.

The music of Symphony Kūkai is relatively simple and accessible, yet intended to be deep enough to make people think. The music includes elements of Japanese pentatonic music, which was inherited from Chinese yayue - traditional court music.

The work has a strong narrative, portraying the life story of Kūkai. Through the music, the listener can easily visualize Kūkai’s youthful spiritual search, his perilous sea voyage, his encounter with his teacher in China, and the dialogues between them. The first five movements gradually build toward the final movement, in which the chorus bursts forth with its greatest power and intensity.

The whole work is intended to tap into the inner resonance of the human soul and build in emotional depth. The intention of the concert is to create an environment, a space for Symphony Kūkai to be appreciated by the audience. It is intended as a live experience, where the audience is immersed. Whilst the underlying themes of the work are Buddhist, music is universal, and the creators do not feel that you need a Buddhist background to appreciate the work.

The words all come from Buddhist Sutras or from Master Kūkai and will have extra resonance for those with Buddhist knowledge. The composer, Zou Ye is, in fact, not a Buddhist though the commissioner, Mr Yongde Yue is. And in the writing of the work Zou Ye had to go through a long process of learning about Esoteric Buddhism.

Whilst the piece has a dramatic narrative, the intention is also to create space to enable people to experience meditation too. The concert should resonate with the audience, everyone sharing feelings and unwinding their usual selves to realise that we are all waves of the same ocean. To make connections beyond boundaries, that kindness and compassion exists in ourselves.

Zou Ye: Kūkai Symphony for orchestra & chorus
London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir
Central Conservatory of Music Choir (China)
Takuo Yuasa (conductor)
Royal Festival Hall
30 January 2026 [further details]