Global EditionASIA 中文双语Français
World
Home / World / China-US

CHINESE, CLASSICAL MUSIC IN CARNEGIE HALL TREAT

By China Daily in New York | China Daily USA | Updated: 2018-03-03 04:31
Share
Share - WeChat
Beijing-based Steinway Artist Jiaxin Tian plays the piano on the stage. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Chinese music filled the air recently at Carnegie Hall in celebration of the Lunar New Year.

The New Year Spectacular IV on Feb 24 featured a wideranging lineup of performers who played to a soldout Zankel Hall.

Produced by Lily Li and Charles Sullivan, the evening included Beijing-based Steinway Artist Jiaxin Tian; Shanghai- based tenor William Cai, who was trained by the late, great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti; Steinway Artist and pianist Simon Mulligan from the UK; and New York violinist Deni Bonet and her enthusiastic band.

David Dinkins, former New York City mayor, narrated a portion of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which was accompanied by Mulligan playing Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E Minor From The New World. Dinkins, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, received a standing ovation.

Co-producer Lily Li shows the calligraphy art work by artist Jiang Guangfu. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Jiaxin Tian delighted the audiecnce with Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 8, in A minor, k.310 and Beethoven's joyful Moonlight Sonata.

Mulligan also played George Gershwin's famed Rhapsody in Blue. Dr Cai sang a number of classical favorites including Capua's O Sole Mio.

Deni Bonet, who had previously been the violinist on pop singer Cyndi Lauper's tours, performed pieces from her recently released CD including Bright Shiny Objects, Primal Dream, Last Girl on Earth, Palisades and One In a Million.

After the intermission, Tian played two pieces of traditional Chinese music. Liuyang River - a Chinese song in praise of Chairman Mao Zedong's contributions to China - and Music at Sunset, better known as Spring Blossoms on the Moonlit River, a classical piece rooted in Chinese poetic culture.

"I tried to use the piano to imitate a variety of traditional Chinese musical instruments, such as pipa, guqin, drum, and traditional Chinese bamboo flute," Tian said after the show. "I hope the sound will give the audience really amazing imagination."

Artists from both counties celebrate the Lunar New Year at Carnegie Hall on Feb 24. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Dinkins said the evening was "a wonderful opportunity" to celebrate the variety of cultures.

The annual spectacular has been co-produced by Premier Event Management Inc and Harvard Wealth Strategy & Management, two US organizations working toward bridging the cultural gap between China and the United States.

"This is the strongest assemblage of talent we have ever had in the history of the Spectacular series. We're honored to be able to create this tradition, showcasing diverse talent to our multicultural audience," said co-producer Li, who is also the chairman of Harvard Wealth Management.

Most Viewed in 24 Hours
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US