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Program

1. Charles-Marie Widor: Introduction and Rondo for Clarinet

Tianyi Shen, Muzi Zhao

2. Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst: The Last Rose of Summer for Violin

Xingzhou Rong

3. Zhao Zhang: Pi Huang for Piano

Ying Li

4. Aram Khachaturian - Trio for Violin, Clarinet and Piano (1932)

• Andante con dolore, con molto espressione
• Allegro
• Moderato

Tianyi Shen, Xingzhou Rong, Ying Li

Intermission (15 mins)

 

5. Tingjiang Hu: Mayila Variations

Guest Soprano: Beibei Guan

6. Zhang: Variations on a Northern Chinese Folksong for Clarinet

Tianyi Shen, Ying Li

7. Johan Halvorsen: Passacaglia for Violin & Viola

Wanxinyi Huang, Xingzhou Rong

8. Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda: Heimathlied op. 117

• I. Andante
• II. Allegro con moto
• III. Andante con moto
• IV. Rumänische Melodie: Andante
• V. Allegro agitato

Beibei Guan, Tianyi Shen, Ying Li

9. Max Bruch- Eight Pieces [Acht Stücke], Op. 83（1910）

• I. Andante
• II. Allegro con moto
• III. Andante con moto
• IV. Rumänische Melodie: Andante
• V. Allegro agitato

Wanxinyi Huang, Tianyi Shen, Ying Li

Patrons are requested to silence cell phones and other electronic devices during performances.

The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not allowed in this venue.
Program order and artists are subject to change.

Terms and Conditions

Program Notes

Charles-Marie Widor: Introduction and Rondo for Clarinet 

Charles-Marie Widor was a French organist, composer and an educator. He’s famous for his organ symphonies. In 1890, he became an organ teacher at the Paris Conservatory, then became a composition teacher in 1896. He composed this Introduction et Rondo for the clarinet professor, Cyrille Rose. This piece starts with a cadenza-like passage to introduce the clarinet by showing its gigantic range. In the first theme of the rondo, the melody of the clarinet is full of late-romantic sensation and French elements with the tension, tempo, and character changes. The highly expressive beginning became a more broad and magnificent feeling later in the piece and went to a brilliant, strong cadential feeling at the end. 

Ernst: The Last Rose of Summer for Violin

"The Last Rose of Summer" is a poem penned by the Irish poet Thomas Moore in 1805 during his stay at Jenkinstown Castle in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The verses are harmoniously coupled with the traditional tune "The Young Man's Dream," transcribed by Edward Bunting in 1792. These melodic elements found their way into publication in December 1813, featured in volume 5 of Thomas Moore's collection, "A Selection of Irish Melodies." Notably, this piece underwent a transformation for violin solo, skillfully adapted by Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst in 1865.

Zhao Zhang: Pi Huang

Zhao Zhang stands out as one of the most prolific contemporary composers in China, demonstrating versatility across various genres and instrumentation. His expansive portfolio includes compositions ranging from piano music and symphonies to folk music, chamber pieces, dance dramas, songs, and film and television scores. In 2007, Zhao Zhang completed the revision of his piano composition, Pi Huang, showcasing his bold exploration of innovative elements.

In Pi Huang, Zhang fearlessly incorporates distinctive features, drawing inspiration from the structured artistry of Peking Opera and incorporating elements of traditional folk music. This composition invites the audience to delve into a unique auditory experience, where the fusion of Peking Opera and piano creates a captivating and harmonious blend. Through Pi Huang, Zhao Zhang skillfully bridges the traditional and contemporary,

Aram Khachaturian - Trio for Violin, Clarinet and Piano (1932)

1. Andante con dolore, con molto espressione
2. Allegro
3. Moderato

This composition was completed in 1932 by Khachaturian during his studies at the Moscow Conservatory. It is a chamber music piece for clarinet, violin, and piano. Each movement vividly embodies ethnic characteristics and exotic styles, representing the Gypsy culture, the Armenian region, and the Uzbekistan ambiance, respectively.

Tingjiang Hu: Mayila Variations

"The Variations of Maïra" is adapted from the Kazakh folk song "Maïra." It expresses the cheerful and lovable character of Maïra, depicting her love for singing and life. Her delightful personality and passion for both singing and life attract nomads who frequently gather around her tent to listen to her enchanting voice.

Zhang: Variations on a Northern Chinese Folksong for Clarinet 

"The Variations of Maïra" is adapted from the Kazakh folk song "Maïra."This adaptation portrays Maïra's love for singing and life, showcasing her delightful personality. Her passion for both singing and life serves as a magnetic force, drawing nomads who often gather around her tent to bask in the enchanting allure of her voice.

Wu Zhang: Variations on a Northern Chinese Folksong for Clarinet

Variations on a Northern Chinese Folk Song was composed by Professor Zhang Wu in 1952 after experiencing life in the northern rural areas of Anhui province. This work is considered the pioneering piece in Chinese ethnic clarinet compositions. It is popular and easy to understand, utilizing the pentatonic scale inherent to our nation. The melody is friendly, simple, and approachable, with a rich Chinese ethnic flavor. Using a concise vocabulary of folk music, the author paints scenes of rural life and labor, allowing performers to imagine and immerse themselves in the joyful life of northern Jiangsu villages along with the breath of the melody.

Johan Halvorsen: Passacaglia for Violin & Viola

Composed in 1893 by the Norwegian musician Johan Halvorsen, "Passacaglia for Violin & Viola" is a duet that features themes from George Frideric Handel. This piece seamlessly integrates the Baroque style with virtuosic elements from both instruments, reflecting a synthesis that emerged during the Mid-Romantic period.

Johann Wenzel Kalliwoda: Heimathlied op. 117

Published in 1857 as part of a collection of various German songs for voice, clarinet, and piano, "Heimathlied" (Homesong) by Kalliwoda is a heartfelt ode to the tranquility, loyalty, and joy found in one's home valley. The song emphasizes the sentiment that the cherished beauty of the home valley is incomparable, and the singer expresses a deep appreciation by declaring a reluctance to exchange it for anything in the world.

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1. Andante
2. Allegro con moto
3. Andante con moto
4. Rumänische Melodie: Andante
5. Allegro agitato.

Bruch composed his Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano, Op. 83 in 1909, in his seventieth year, for his son Max Felix and were first performed in 1909 in Cologne and Hamburg with Max Felix playing the clarinet part. Bruch liked the mellow quality of the alto register, The clarinet and viola are evenly matched, singing together in duet or conversing in dialogue. Bruch thought of the Eight Pieces as separate, self-contained units, and each piece was published separately. The composer leaves it up to the performers to determine the choice of individual pieces and the assembly of the cycle. In fact, he advised against playing all eight in one concert program.In our program today, you will hear the first five pieces, the order will be— first, second, third, fifth and fourth. Hope you could explore the sound world with us.