To launch a three-year partnership between London's Southbank Centre and Shanghai Concert Hall, a four-day event entitled ‘Listen to the 20th Century’ took place in Shanghai from May 2-5, 2013. Delegates from the Southbank Centre, including head of classical music Gillian Moore, visited the city to present concerts, discussions and workshops.

Rory Macdonald conducted a series of concerts with the Aurora Orchestra, including a performance of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite performed side-by-side with students from Shanghai Conservatory. Also on the programme were Debussy’s Prelude a l’après-midi d’un faune, Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, and Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, performed live with a screening of the Oscar-winning animated film.