Experience a modern take of folk music from East Asia at our next salon concert. The program features works by Madoka Mori, Xie Peng, Stephanie Chou, and Tan Dun. These composers draw on their East Asian identity in their music, providing a powerful dialogue between the cultures of East and West, folk and classical, and musicians and listeners.
Tan Dun is an award-winning composer, whose work spans his Grawemeyer Award-winning opera Marco Polo to his celebrated film score in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Tan’s Chinese identity is a core part of his voice, having written numerous works for audiences familiar and unfamiliar with this heritage. The Concerto for Guzheng and Strings was adapted from an earlier theater piece, Ghost Opera, which is an amalgamation of Chinese, Tibetan, English, and American cultures, calling on the spirits of Bach, Shakespeare, ancient folk traditions, and nature itself. This energetic piece, filled with brimming energy and creative use of the instruments, “bursts forth like a rampant Chinese dragon” (Gramophone).
Madoka Mori is a rising young composer based in Japan. Two of her works for viola, Sakura and Dragonflies (U.S. premiere) are presented here, both based on Japanese folk songs re-interpreted for the modern musician. Xie Peng’s A Desolate and Remote Autumn is based on a line from Northern Song Dynasty poet Liu Yong’s Yu Lin Ling: “Since ancient times, lovers have been distressed with parting sorrows. How can we bear the sorrows in such a desolate and clear autumn!” Stephanie Chou’s Dragon ties the program together in a festive manner, celebrating the Dragon Year and the prosperity it symbolizes.
Join us for an evening of music, food, and conversation that is sure to leave you feeling inspired and enriched. Get your tickets today!
The concert takes place at an elegant private residency in Manhattan. Location will be provided after RSVP.
Door opens at 7:00 PM. The performance starts at 7:30 PM, followed by a reception.
General admission is $50 per person. Members of NACMS using a valid membership code can bring an additional guest for free. All tickets include light snacks and wine. Become a NACMS member today to unlock exclusive special events, discounts and more benefits!
* Suggested Dress Code: Cocktail Attire
* Special thanks to Shihan Liu and Daniel Kim for hosting the concert.
Program:
Madoka Mori - Sakura for Solo Viola (2018)
Madoka Mori - Dragonflies for Viola and Piano (2017) (U.S. Premier)
Madoka Mori - Vocalise for solo cello (2018)
Xie Peng 謝鵬 - A Desolate and Remote Autumn 遠清秋 for Guzheng and Piano
Stephanie Chou - Dragon for Erhu and String Trio (2024)
Tan Dun 譚盾 - Concerto for Guzheng and Strings
Musicians:
Lucina Yue, guzheng
Keiko Tokunaga, violin/viola
Yun Lee, violin
Andy Lin, viola/erhu
James Kim, cello
Kelly Lin, piano
Madoka Mori, composer/piano
Chris Zang, piano* (young artist)
Tom Liu, piano* (young artist)
