The sound of contemporary Chinese music composed for traditional and
Western instruments is heard in works by Zhou Tian, Zhou Long, Yang Yong,
Wang Amao and Wang Guowei. Presenting its world premiere is Zhou Tian’s
"Hundred Antiques" co-commissioned by Music From China and the Freer
Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian, in conjunction with
the exhibition "Resound: Ancient Bells of China." Hundred Antiques is a
traditional Chinese style of decorative arts and textiles often incorporating
rebuses for auspicious wishes. The composer is inspired by the use of
patterns and images symbolizing purposes and meanings otherwise not seen
on the surface which has a lasting tradition and passion in China.
Composition styles in the program range from traditional to avant-garde, with
themes drawn from Chinese art and culture.
Program:
ZHOU TIAN: Hundred Antiques
Erhu, pipa, violin, cello, percussion
ZHOU LONG: Dunhuang Pipa Music
Pipa, dizi, zhongruan, cello, percussion
YANG YONG: River Songs
Erhu & cello
WANG AMAO: Two Bagatelles
Gaohu, dizi and pipa
WANG GUOWEI: Drinking Alone with the Moon
Erhu, violin & cello
Music From China, based in New York City, is a chamber ensemble performing eclectic programs of traditional Chinese music and contemporary work. Established in 1984 by Director Susan Cheng, the group has performed at such venues as the Library of Congress, Asia Society, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, San Diego Museum of Art, Chautauqua Institution, 92nd Street Y, Freer & Sackler Galleries of Art; festivals including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, American Folk Festival, Boston Early Music Festival, Ecstatic Music Festival, Skaneateles Music Festival; colleges and universities across the U.S. including Princeton, Duke, Colgate, Vermont, Rhode Island, Texas A&M, Dayton, Pittsburgh, Southern Illinois, Indiana State, Bowdoin, Vassar, William & Mary, Peabody Conservatory and Eastman School of Music, among others. A proponent of new music, Music From China has commissioned and performed works by celebrated composers such as Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Bright Sheng, Huang Ruo, Eric Moe, Mathew Rosenblum, Lei Liang, and Derek Bermel. In recognition for creative programs that combine the music of East and West, Music From China is recipient of a Chamber Music America/ASCAP Adventurous Programming Commendation. Premiere Works XXVI is part of a new music concert series presenting newly commissioned works by Music From China and other compositions created for Chinese and Western instruments.
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