2023
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Saturday, January 28, 2023
A Chinese New Year Concert with The Orchestra Now, Presented by the US-China Music Institute
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, The Shops at Columbus Circle, NYC 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST/GMT-5
The Sound of Spring returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City for an authentic Chinese New Year concert to welcome in the year ot the Rabbit.
Jindong Cai conducts The Orchestra Now in a program featuring the beloved Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto and other works of Chinese symphonic music.
For tickets and program information visit barduschinamusic.org/events/the-sound-of-spring-jalc-2023.
This program will also be performed at the Fisher Center at Bard on January 27.
Press Release: View
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Thursday, April 6, 2023 – Saturday, April 8, 2023
5th Annual Conference of the US-China Music Institute
Bitó CPS, Bard Hall, Olin Hall, Fisher Center The fifth annual conference of the US-China Music Institute, Ancient Echoes and New Sounds: Guqin in the 21st Century, is a three-day series of scholarly, interactive, and musical events looking at how this ancient instrument has been revived and reimagined for today.
The guqin is a 7-stringed wooden instrument associated with the spiritual and intellectual culture of the literati class in ancient China. The conference will bring together renowned guqin scholars and performers from China and the US to consider and demonstrate how the guqin has found new life in contemporary musical culture. All events are open to the Bard community and the general public.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, APRIL 6TH
Bard Hall
7:30PM to 9:30PM Keynote Address and Student Concert
FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH
László Z. Bitó ’60 Conservatory Building
10AM to 12PM Graduate Student lecture recitals
1PM to 5PM Guqin Scholar Talks & Panel Discussion
7:30PM to 9:30PM Zhao Xiaoxia and the Trio of Three Continents — a concert of Guqin and mixed ensemble music
SATURDAY, APRIL 8TH
12PM to 3PM
Bard Hall
Annual Yaji 雅集 ‘Elegant Gathering’
— calligraphy, poetry, painting, music, and tea
7PM to 9:30PM
Fisher Center
Naomi Woo Conducts THE ORCHESTRA NOW
— with Zhao Xiaoxia, guqin, and Stella Chen, violin
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Thursday, April 6, 2023
Part of the US-China Music Institute Annual Conference Ancient Echoes and New Sounds: Guqin in the 21st Century
Bard Hall 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm EDT/GMT-4
Performed by students of the Bard Conservatory, this concert opens the 5th annual US-China Music Institute conference, Ancient Echoes and New Sounds: Guqin in the 21st Century.
The program focuses on guqin performance in various combinations, and the musical revival of this ancient instrument.
This concert is coordinated by the guqin students of the US-China Music Institute and Zhao Jiazhen, Professor of Guqin, Central Conservatory of Music, China.
The event will begin with a welcome message from Professor Jindong Cai, director of the US-China Music Institute, and a keynote speech by visiting scholar Joseph Lam, Professor of Musicology, University of Michigan.
Facebook Live Stream Link: https://fb.me/e/RpgPnrj
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Friday, April 7, 2023
Ancient Echoes and New Sounds - Guqin in the 21st Century
Olin Hall 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
As a part of the US-China Music Institute’s annual spring conference, Bard presents Chinese guqin virtuoso Zhao Xiaoxia for an on-stage collaboration with Gao Hong’s cross-cultural music trio, Trio of Three Continents. This unique concert celebrates the heritage of traditional string instruments from around the world, while showcasing these four artists' interpretive and improvisational mastery.
Zhao Xiaoxia is renowned in China as a master performer of traditional and contemporary guqin music. She serves on the faculty of the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She will perform several solo pieces during the first half of the concert, and will join the Trio during part of the second half.
Trio of Three Continents is a US-based ensemble and this version of the ensemble features master musicians from China, Venezuela and Syria: Gao Hong (Chinese pipa), Leonard Jacome (Venezuelan harp) and Issam Rafea (Oud), presenting a new form of collaborative world music that melds styles and sensibilities.
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Saturday, April 8, 2023
Improvisation and Ensemble Performance Techniques
Chapel of the Holy Innocents 9:00 am – 11:00 am EDT/GMT-4
Pipa virtuoso, composer, and master teacher Gao Hong returns to Bard after her amazing performance in the annual Chinese New Year concert at the Fisher Center in January, to offer a master class for the pipa students of the Bard Conservatory of Music. Members of the Bard community are welcome to attend this event, which will focus on improvisational ensemble performance. Music or Conservatory students interested in unique improvisational styles and Chinese performing techniques will be especially interested.
Gao Hong is a world renowned Chinese pipa artist, composer, educator, and improviser. She graduated from Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music where she studied with Lin Shicheng. Gao has performed worldwide in solo concerts, with symphony orchestras, and with musicians from other cultures and musical genres. Her awards include fellowships from the Bush and McKnight Foundations, a Sorel Medallion in Recording, a Sally Award, 6 gold medals from the Global Music Awards, grants from Mid Atlantic Arts and the Minnesota State Arts Board, and numerous commissions from orchestras, chamber groups, dance troupes, media outlets and other organizations. She teaches at Carleton College and directs the Chinese Music Ensemble, she also is Guest Professor at the Central, China, and Tianjin conservatories.
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Saturday, April 8, 2023
Part of the 5th Annual Conference of the US-China Music Institute, Ancient Echoes and New Sounds: Guqin in the 21st Century
Bard Hall 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
The Yaji is a very special annual event, now in its second year, which is based on an ancient Chinese tradition combining literature, music, and calligraphy in a casual social setting. Enjoy musical performances, poetry recitals, and calligraphy demonstrations from students of the college, Bard professors Mingmei Yip, Huiwen Li, and Shuangting Xiong, and special guests the Trio of Three Continents (Gao Hong, pipa; Leonard Jacome, Venezueland harp; Issam Rafea, oud).
The event will begin with a dedication in poetry and song to the memory of Bard professor of Chinese Li-hua Ying.
Free and open to the public. Bard community members are welcome to attend. Audience members can come and go at any time.
Refreshments will be served.
Facebook Live Link: https://fb.me/e/3yNDRGhnT
Read more about the annual conference, Ancient Echoes and New Sounds: Guqin in the 21st Century
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Thursday, May 11, 2023
The sonic dimensions of Chinese noise art represented through the traditional Chinese musical instrument pipa.
Bitó Conservatory Building 6:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Free and open to the public.
Livestream
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Sunday, May 14, 2023
Olin Hall 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
The annual spring concert of the Bard Chinese Ensemble will be a special occasion in 2023, celebrating five years of the US-China Music Institute and the graduation of the first class of Chinese instrument majors in the Bard Conservatory. The concert program will feature a number of chamber works for mixed Chinese and Western instruments, plus a new selection of traditional pieces especially arranged by Ensemble Director Chen Tao.
Free and open to the public. A reception will follow the concert in the lobby of Olin Hall.
Livestream link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxZlnZlDmGw
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Monday, October 2, 2023
CHINA NOW MUSIC FESTIVAL - THE BRIDGE OF MUSIC
Bitó Conservatory Building, Performance Space 8:00 pm – 9:45 pm EDT/GMT-4
The opening concert of the sixth annual China Now Music Festival features the NY debut of the Bard East/West Ensemble, an innovative music group combining Chinese and Western instruments to create a new model of cross-cultural performance.
The program features new arrangements of music by Tan Dun, Zhou Long, and Aaron Copland, as well as several new works by outstanding young composers from China, including members of the legendary faculty of the Central Conservatory of Music.
Internationally renowned pipa virtuoso Wu Man will join the ensemble to perform a new arrangement of Zhou Long’s popular pipa concerto, ‘King Chu Doff’s His Armor’.
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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Wednesday, October 4, 2023
China Now Music Festival – The Bridge of Music
Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall Jazz at Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, New York, NY 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm EDT/GMT-4
The sixth annual China Now Music Festival returns to the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center for the NY debut of the Bard East/West Ensemble, an innovative music group combining Chinese and Western instruments to create a new model of cross-cultural performance.
The program features new arrangements of music by Tan Dun, Zhou Long, and Aaron Copland, as well as several new works by outstanding young composers from China, including members of the legendary faculty of the Central Conservatory of Music. Internationally renowned pipa virtuoso Wu Man will join the ensemble to perform a new arrangement of Zhou Long’s popular pipa concerto, ‘King Chu Doff’s His Armor’.
For tickets please go to: https://ticketing.jazz.org/15697/15698
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Saturday, October 7, 2023
China Now Music Festival – The Bridge of Music
Asia Society of New York, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10021 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Enjoy an afternoon of engaging discussion and live music as Asia Society of New York and the US-China Music Institute at Bard College present a panel of experts from diverse perspectives to look towards the future of US-China relations in music.
Over the past 50 years, classical music exchange between the US and China has brought many benefits to both nations and remains one of the bright spots in an otherwise complex relationship. Speakers will share their thoughts, experiences, and vision as to how we can best continue developing this relationship going forward, despite the strained political relationship and other obstacles.
Tickets: $25
($10 for Asia Society Members and students)
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
MODERATOR
Orville Schell, Arthur Ross Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations, Asia Society
SPEAKERS
Jindong Cai, Director, US-China Music Institute, Bard College Conservatory of Music
Chen Yi, Lorena Searcy Cravens/ Millsap/ Missouri Distinguished Professor of Composition, University of Missouri, Kansas City
Gary Ginstling, President and CEO, New York Philharmonic
Yu Hongmei, erhu virtuoso and Dean, Central Conservatory of Music, China
Others to be announced.
PERFORMERS
Liu Xiaojing, pipa virtuoso and Professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, China
Members of the Bard Chinese Ensemble, US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music
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Sunday, October 8, 2023
China Now Music Festival – The Bridge of Music
Rose Theater at Frederick P. Rose Hall Jazz at Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, New York, NY 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
The sixth annual China Now Music Festival closes with a symphonic concert in honor of the 70th year of two extraordinary Chinese American composers, Chen Yi and Zhou Long.
The Orchestra Now and conductor Jindong Cai perform major works by the legendary couple, along with pieces by their mentor and teacher Chou Wen-chung and two of their acclaimed students, Zhou Juan and Li Shaosheng.
For tickets please go to: https://ticketing.jazz.org/15697/15700
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Sunday, October 22, 2023
Shutong Li, conductor
Bitó Conservatory Building, Performance Space 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EDT/GMT-4
Let the Bard Chinese Ensemble transport you to the heart of China, offering a sonic voyage through its diverse regions, landscapes, and emotions.
The program features large scale Chinese orchestral works performed by a mixed ensemble of Eastern and Western instruments, each possessing its own unique voice, and together weaving a vibrant tapestry of sound.
FREE and open to the public.
View the livestream at youtube.com/watch?v=RdFE4oIOjHY
youtube.com/watch?v=RdFE4oIOjHY
Download: Bard Chinese Ensemble Fall Concert 2023 Program.pd -
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Shutong Li, conductor
Bitó Conservatory Building, Performance Space 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EST/GMT-5
Bard Chinese Ensemble performs a festive concert for the year’s end spotlighting diverse Chinese instruments. The program includes a guzheng trio, three concertos for pipa, guanzi, and guqin, plus large-scale Chinese orchestral masterworks performed by a mixed ensemble of Eastern and Western instruments.
FREE and open to the public.
View the livestream at youtube.com/live/JQcoQmzh8us
https://youtube.com/live/JQcoQmzh8us
Download: Bard Chinese Ensemble Winter Concert 2023 Program- Read the Concert Program
