photos: Chung Cheng   event photos: Xiaopei Xu and Chi Wei Lo

Boston locals welcome musicians from NYC evening before the Jordan Hall concert. Guzheng virtuoso Weng Hui 翁惠 could not join the dinner. She is using every possible minute getting ready for the world premiere "Drifting Clouds and Flowing Water 行雲流水" specifically composed for her.

NOTES ON THE PROGRAM

MEET THE ARTISTS
(surname upper-cased)
 

HU Jianbing 胡建兵,  sheng 笙 and composer

HU Jianbing is the current president of Chinese Performing Arts of North America.  visiting professor at the China Conservatory of Music, has earned wide recognition for his artistry as a sheng soloist and composer. Hu is a founder and the current president of the of Chinese Performing Arts Association of North America.

Hu graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in China and was part of the Central Chinese National Orchestra before moving to New York. Initially trained by his father, sheng performer Hu Zhiguo, HU debuted as a soloist at age 10. Three years later he was admitted into the Music Art school of Gansu Province and won the prize of the Best Chinese Music Instrument Soloist in the regional Competition in Gansu.

HU performed in the United States, France, Switzerland, Japan and Korea. He played at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, Merkin Concert Hall, MOMA Concert Hall, Times Concert Hall, Symphony Space, Boston Sanders Theatre, Jordan Hall, and Chicago Symphony Concert Hall, China National Center.  As a soloist, he collaborated with San Francisco Symphony and Seattle Symphony for the project of Sheng and Orchestra. Hu also joined the New York Philharmonic for the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Silkroad Project.

With a belief that improvisation is the soul of Chinese folk music performance, Hu dedicated his recent years to solo improvisation, as demonstrated in the impromptu solo album Hu Jianbing's Sky. In 2015, he hosted the "Hu Jianbing's impromptu solo concert" at the Northwest University for Nationalities in China. In 2018, he collaborated with harmonica master Howard Levy in Tennessee – the country of folk music – and staged an impromptu concert featuring a dialogue between the sheng and the harmonica. The Boston Globe comments that "he [Hu] has an impressive command of the sheng and of a broad range of its classical, folk, and modern musical literatures."

胡建兵，旅美笙演奏家及作曲家，北美中樂團團長，中國音樂學院客座教授。1989年畢業於中央音樂學院，曾任中央民族樂團笙演奏員，1997 年在北京音樂廳舉辦「秋調---  胡建兵民樂作品音樂會」，1998年移居美國紐約，組建成立了北美中樂團。2001年加入馬友友《絲綢之路》樂團以來，參加過數十場的巡演。胡建兵演奏的足跡遍布美國各地，及法國、瑞士、日本等國家。曾與西雅圖交響樂團和舊金山交響樂團分別於2011及2012年合作演出笙協奏曲《玄黃》，2015年參與絲綢之路樂團在紐約林肯劇院與紐約愛樂交響樂團一同為慶祝「絲綢之路樂團」成立15週年的演出活動。2020年2月，再次與舊金山交響樂團合作演奏笙與管弦樂隊《晉調》。近年來胡建兵擅長笙即興獨奏的演奏形式，提倡即興演奏是中國民間音樂演奏形式的靈魂。並出版有個人即興獨奏專輯  《胡建兵的天空》。2015年應邀在中國西北民族大學成功舉辦《胡建兵笙即興獨奏音樂會》，2018年與口琴演奏大師 Howard Levy 在美國鄉村音樂之鄉田納西成功上演了「笙與口琴的對話---鳳律和鳴」即興音樂會。2019年5月，參與《五月琵琶的百鳥朝鳳》即興室內樂音樂會。波士頓環球報評論「他對笙的控制力及在演奏曲目上從古典、到民間、再到現代的廣泛性上給人以深刻的印象」。

BAO Jian 包键, guanzi 管子

A graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Bao Jian has gained tremendous attention as an outstanding performer of the Guanzi (a double-reed folk instrument of the ancient Chinese origin) through numerous appearances as a soloist and a chamber musician worldwide. Hailed by The Berlin Daily Post for his "pure hallowed music from the East," Mr. Bao has enchanted audiences with his virtuosity and poise. He boasts an impressive list of awards including the 1998 Pro Musicis International Award in New York and the First Prize in the 1995 "International Chinese Ethnic Instrumental Competition" in Beijing.

With immense knowledge of classical and Chinese folk music, Mr. Bao is also acclaimed as a major innovator of contemporary works. His performance of the "Lin Li Concerto” with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra set new standards for the Guanzi . He premiered Lei Liang's "Extend" at New England Conservatory's Spring Music Festival at Jordan Hall with saxophonist Ken Radnofsky. He also premiered Xu Zhenmin's "Mooring at Night by the Maple Bridge” with the Phoenix Symphony. He was a guest speaker at the Yanjing Academic Association’s Chinese Traditional Music Seminar in 2005 at Harvard University as well.

As the 27th generation of the Zhihua Temple Music, Bao Jian was invited numerous times since 2013 by the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts to perform Beijing Zhihua Temple Music at the New England Conservatory of Music and the Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art. He took on a very important role in bringing the precious treasure of China’s musical heritage into the United States.

As a recitalist, he has been heard on three continents and is a frequent guest performer at heralded festivals, including the "Festival of Asian Art" in Hong Kong and the "Bao der Weltkulturen" in Berlin. His reputation has earned him mentions on the "Famous Ethnic Chinese in the World of Arts & Literature” list. UNESCO chose his recording of the piece "Three Layers of Yang Guan" to be internationally published. He is currently the artistic director of the Chinese Performing Arts of North America and the artistic director of East Wind Percussion Music Academy.

包鍵，1986年畢業於中央音樂學院並留校校任教。1995年榮獲中國民族器樂獨奏國際大賽管子組第一名，1998年再獲美國專業音樂家(Pro Musicis) 國際大賽第一名，現任北美中樂團藝術總監、紐約中國鼓藝術學院藝術總監。

包鍵先生是當代管子音樂藝術重要推動者，也是管子演奏領域最早涉足現代作品的演奏家，自1984年首演潭盾的作品《山謠》後，相繼首演李賓揚管子協奏曲《山神》以及旅美作曲家陳怡與周龍等現代管子作品，為開拓管子演奏表現技法做出重要貢獻，被譽為中國管子音樂的開路先鋒。2000年在紐約和洛杉磯舉辦六場個人獨奏音樂會，與美國著名薩克斯演奏家 Ken Radnofsky 合作演奏了作曲家楊麟的作品《延伸》，作為首席獨奏家隨北美中樂團在全美巡迴演出超過百場。2002年5月，首次與爵士樂合作參加 "中國音樂創世紀"在香港、上海等地演出。2004年3月於巴黎、里昂舉辦四場個人獨奏音樂會。同年四月在紐約卡內基音樂廳首演管子與笙新作品音樂會。2005年應哈佛大學燕京學社邀請出席中國民族音樂研討會。2008年10月與鳳凰城交響樂團合作於美國首演徐振民作品《楓橋夜泊》，2009年8月應紐約現代藝術博物館(MoMA)邀請舉行專場音樂會。

作為智化寺京音樂第二十七代傳人，包鍵先生從2013年至今多次獲中華表演藝術基金會邀請在新英格蘭音樂學院演出佛教音樂會，也獲邀在華盛頓國家博物館演出智化寺京音樂，成為寶貴的中國音樂文化遺產在美國的重要傳播者之一。《柏林日報》讚譽他演奏的音樂 "猶如來自東方的神樂"。

CHEN Tao 陈涛, dizi 笛子

Chen Tao, internationally acclaimed Chinese flutist, music educator, composer and conductor of Chinese orchestra, is the founder and director of the Melody of Dragon, Inc., The executive chairman of NY Chinese Music Instruments International Competition since 2015 and Artistic director of New York guqin Association. Currently, he serves as Professor and Music director of the Chinese ensemble at Bard College.

Mr. Chen is also the 27th generation musician of Zhi-Hua Buddhism Music. The New York Times called Chen Tao, a “poet in music” and his playing “a miracle of the oriental flute.” Conductor Herbert Von Karajan praises him as an artist who “performs with his soul.”  Chen Tao is a graduate and former Associate Professor at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. He was the winner of the 1989 National Folk Instrument Competition in China and has toured throughout the U.S., Germany, Italy, France, England, Holland, Finland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. He has collaborated with the BBC Philharmonic and the National Orchestra of Lyon. His playing can be heard on several soundtracks of Hollywood movies including Seven Years in Tibet, Corrupter (with the New York Philharmonic) and on the PBS documentary Under the Red Flag.

陳濤，著名中國笛子演奏家，音樂教育家。美國神州中樂團團長及創始人。美國巴德音樂學院教授，巴德音樂學院中國樂團音樂指導。紐約中國器樂國際比賽執行主席。北京智化寺佛教音樂第27代傳人。曾任紐約中國民族樂團的藝術總監和該團的指揮。移居美國前，陳濤曾任職北京中央音樂學院民樂系。

陳濤的音樂，融匯了南、北笛子風格之精華。音色圓潤、醇厚，技藝嫻熟、輝煌，魅力獨特。曾於1989年全國民族器樂比賽中榮獲第一名。並成功地與世界一流的交響樂團如：英國 BBC 交響樂團，法國里昂交響樂團，葡萄牙國家交響樂團，比利時國家交響樂團以及紐約愛樂樂團，舊金山交響樂團合作，贏得極高聲譽。陳濤曾被紐約時報譽為「音樂詩人」、「神奇的東方魔笛」，已故世界著名指揮大師卡拉揚稱其「用心靈在演奏」，紐約世界日報，星島日報稱其為「笛王」及「笛子藝術大師」。自2012年開始，在優酷上首創網絡教學模式，惠及全世界各地的笛子愛好者。

LIU Li 劉麗, guqin 古琴

Liu Li, guqin virtuoso, president of New York guqin Association.  Since she moved to America in 1994, Liu Li has been invited frequently to perform and lecture throughout the country.  Her collaboration with the New Music Consort of the Manhattan School of Music's Chamber Orchestra received high praise from the critics.  She has also performed at Lincoln Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Japanese Society, La Mama Theater, the Metropolitan Museum of Arts and other New York venues.  In February 1996, inviting by Taiwan's National Music Ensemble in Taipei, Liu Li held a concerto performance in the National Hall of Music as well as a lecture on guqin music, both of which were critically acclaimed. In 2002, she collaborated on the movie music recording of “Hero” composed by Oscar winner Tan Dun with world famous Violin master Itzhak Perlman.

劉麗，著名古琴演奏家，教育家，紐約古琴研究會會長。1988年畢業於北京中央音樂學院民樂系。曾任職北京中國音樂學院。其演奏音色古樸，醇厚，技巧嫻熟，感情細膩，富於變化。注重以情傳神，氣韻生動。1996年，應邀在台北國家音樂廳舉辦古琴協奏曲音樂會以及古琴專題演講，獲得極大成功。2011年，應邀與舊金山灣區著名的漢聲樂團合作，演出了作曲家司徒剛特別為古琴創作的現代作品《古琴誦》。2002年，更與世界小提琴大師伊薩克-帕爾曼合作錄制了由張藝謀執導，奧斯卡音樂金獎得主譚盾創作的電影音樂《英雄》，以及《英雄》音樂的CD在全世界發行。2007年，又應美國著名電影公司 Merchant Ivory 的邀請，為電影《伯爵夫人-The White Countess》錄制電影配樂，是目前活躍在美國音樂界的古琴家。

ZHOU Yi 周懿, pipa 琵琶

Zhou Yi, Praised for her “breathtaking” meticulous technique and expressiveness by the Washington Post, pipa soloist Zhou Yi was born in Shanghai, China. Discovered by a Chinese instrumentalist talent scout at the age of five, she went on to graduate from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music before moving to New York to pursue her music career.

As a concert soloist, Zhou Yi has performed in prestigious venues worldwide, impressing audiences with her masterful playing and vast repertoire. Some of her career highlights include Tan Dun’s Concerto for Pipa and String Orchestra at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany; a Young People’s Concert with the New York Philharmonic; Bun-Ching Lam’s Sudden Thunder with the Sinfonieorchester Münster; Zuqiang Wu’s Sisters of the Grassland with the Ohio

Youngstown Symphony Orchestra; and more. She has also premiered works by young composers in various styles, such as Xinyan Li’s Dunhuang Lovers at Carnegie Hall; Jianbing Hu’s Fine Sound from Tianzhu at NEC Jordan Hall; Qian Zhou’s Qu Shui Ming Yun (Sounds from the Winding Water) at the Mata Festival; and Du Yun’s Kung Fu soundtrack for David Henry Huang’s off-broadway production. In addition to her solo career, Zhou Yi’s other guest

appearances in operatic and festival productions, including Bright Sheng’s Dream of the Red Chamber at San Francisco Opera, Huang Ruo’s Paradise Interrupted at Lincoln Center Festival and Dr. Sun Yat-sen at Santa Fe Opera.

With a unique musical style that melds traditional Chinese music with contemporary sounds, Zhou Yi continues to enthrall audiences worldwide with her captivating performances and artistry.

周懿，出生於中國上海，5歲習琴。從上海音樂學院畢業後移居紐約。作為音樂會的特邀獨奏家，周懿演奏過的代表作品與合作過的樂團有：在德國萊比錫布商音樂廳演奏的譚盾的《琵琶與弦樂隊協奏曲》；與紐約愛樂樂團合作的青年音樂會；與德國明斯特交響樂團合作的林品晶的《驚雷》與《琵琶行》；與俄亥俄揚斯敦交響樂團合作的吳祖強的《草原小姐妹》等。此外，她還與青年作曲家合作各種風格的作品，比如在卡內基音樂廳首演李昕艷的《敦煌戀人》；在新英格蘭音樂學院約旦音樂廳首演胡建兵的《天竺梵音》；在瑪塔音樂節首演周倩的《曲水鳴韻》，以及在黃哲倫的外百老匯製作《功夫》中演奏杜韻的原聲音樂。除了琵琶獨奏生涯，周懿還在歌劇和音樂節的製作中擔任客席演奏，其中包括在舊金山歌劇院世界首演的盛宗亮的歌劇《紅樓夢》，聖達菲歌劇院世界首演的黃若的歌劇《孫中山》歌劇以及在林肯中心藝術節製作的黃若的《驚園》。華盛頓郵報曾對她的演奏有著「精緻的技巧與絕佳的演奏風範美得令人屏息凝神」的高度評價.

WENG Hui 翁惠, guzheng 古箏

Hui Weng, a virtuoso deeply rooted in ancient Chinese traditions, is transcending musical boundaries that few have dared to cross. She has earned international acclaim for her mastery of traditional, contemporary, and improvised guzheng music. Ms. Weng's diverse musical career encompasses roles as a guzheng performer, educator, and music director.

Her exceptional talent has garnered her numerous accolades, including gold medals, distinctions like the "Jin Zhong Award," "National Rising Star," and "Oriental Artist," and recognition in major national and international competitions. She has also been honored with the prestigious Musical Independent Award. In 2014, she received the Emerging Artists Award fellowship from the St. Botolph Foundation, recognizing her pioneering efforts in expanding guzheng performance to encompass singing, dancing, and her contributions to composing and curating new works.

As an educator, Ms. Weng is a trailblazer, opening doors to private instruction in Chinese traditional instruments, The Music of China, and the Global Music Ensemble at Berklee and NEC. She is charting a new path for students who play non-classical instruments, contributing to the enrichment of Chinese culture within these renowned conservatories, and nurturing a deeper appreciation for the diverse and vibrant world of music. Additionally, Ms. Weng's current project, "Rivers of Resonance," supported by the Berklee Faculty Development Grant, exemplifies her commitment to pushing musical boundaries and exploring different cultures. Since 2014, she has collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, further enriching her musical journey. Her engagements have taken her to various music conferences, including the Beijing International Contemporary Music Festival, where she has been a featured artist, the "Third Stream" US-China Music Exchange Workshop, and the Globe Musician Workshop. These experiences underscore her dedication to advancing cross-cultural musical dialogue and expanding the horizons of both traditional and contemporary music.

翁惠， 旅美古箏演奏家 ，美國新英格蘭音樂學院研究生導師 ，美國伯克利音樂學院弦樂系副教授。

翁惠女士作為跨界民族樂器演奏家，對於即興和跨界表演有著自己的演奏體系和風格，擅長用世界音樂的大格局和審美去詮釋中國音樂，並受到國際樂壇上的肯定和讚譽。她曾屢獲國內外大獎，並獲有「金鐘獎」，「國家新星」，「東方藝術家」，美國「新興藝術家」等榮譽稱號。近年來她首演了大量古箏新作品，其中《西部主題暢想曲》和《墨客》反響熱烈，現在已是內地上演率最高的古箏作品。其參與創作的作品《春之饗宴》，《西班牙悲歌》等均在重大國際音樂節上演。

經過翁惠女士的努力，先後在美國新英格蘭音樂學院，美國伯克利音樂學院以及衛斯理學院等殿堂級別的音樂學院和文理學院開設中國傳統以及即興演奏專業和中國/世界音樂樂隊課。作為首位把中國音樂正式納入美國高等音樂學府和文理學院課程體系的音樂教育工作者，翁慧女士在教學上擅長幫助學生增強演奏中的音樂語汇和音樂表達能力，用世界音樂的融合概念進行跨界合作，去更為深刻地認識和展現中國音樂的魅力，同時也為中國內地的音樂學子提供了更為廣闊的國際文化藝術實踐與交流平台。

翁惠女士有著中美兩國的音樂教育背景，先後在中央音樂學院和新英格蘭音樂學院完成了古箏演奏和當代即興演奏的學習，並以首位古箏即興碩士畢業後留在新英格蘭音樂學院任教。自大學起，曾先後跟隨的導師有: 著名古箏演奏家, 教育家周望教授; 著名作曲家, 即興演奏家，“The Third Stream” 流派創始人Ram Black 教授;著名作曲家、即興演奏家 Hankus Netsky 博士; 著名音樂學家 Peter Row 博士等。

CAI Zhenqi 蔡振起,da ruan 大阮

Cai Zhenqi, born into a family rich in musical traditions, embarked on his exploration of the music world from a young age. Graduating with a degree in double bass from Tianjin Music Conservatory in 1987, he assumed the role of principal bassist in the Chinese Central Nationalities Song and Dance Ensemble and led the electric ensemble. During his tenure, he actively participated in the planning and performance of numerous large-scale musical events, leaving an indelible mark through performances in various countries.

In a pivotal chapter of his musical journey, he immigrated to the United States, seeking new horizons. Embracing a fresh perspective, he joined the North American Chinese Orchestra, which enabled him to showcase his exceptional talents on the international stage. Whether commanding the deep resonances of the Daruan or playing the traditional double bass, he demonstrated exceptional mastery. His outstanding performances have left fond musical memories at prestigious venues such as New York's Lincoln Center and the renowned Carnegie Hall.

蔡振起，生於一個充滿音樂傳統的家庭，自幼便開始了他在音樂世界的探索之旅，他在1987年以貝斯專業畢業於天津音樂學院。之後，他成為了中國中央民族歌舞團的貝斯首席和電聲樂隊的領隊。在任職期間，他積極參與了許多大型音樂會的策劃和演出，出訪許多國家，在表演生涯中留下了不可磨滅的印記。在他音樂之旅的重要篇章中，他移民到了美國。展望新的視野，他加入了北美中樂團，這使他得以在國際舞台上展現他卓越的才華。無論是大阮深沉的共鳴還是傳統貝斯，他都駕馭得遊刃有余，他的傑出演奏曾在紐約林肯中心和著名的卡內基音樂廳等頂級場館留下了美好的音樂記憶。

LIU Xiaoying 劉笑瑩, guzheng 古箏

Liu Xiaoying (Leah Liu), currently studying at the Berkeley Music College, majoring in film scoring with a minor in music education. She has won numerous awards for her guzheng performances, including the Zhuque Cup first prize and the first-place silver award in the Qingyue Cup, among others. During her time in the United States, she has blended guzheng playing with cross-cultural elements and has been involved in recording and producing R&B albums for independent musicians. She has also composed several contemporary chamber music pieces.

She studied under the guidance of renowned guzheng players Professor Qu Yun and Professor Sun Zhuo, representing the genre of QinZheng. Subsequently, she learned contemporary performing techniques from young performers Liu Le and Gu Mijia. In Boston, she studied under Professor Weng Hui. At the same time, she participates in and manages many recitals of world music.

劉笑瀅，伯克利音樂學院在讀，電影配樂專業，輔修音樂教育。多次獲得古箏演奏獎項，包括朱雀杯一等獎及兩岸三地青樂杯銀獎第一名等。在美期間，將古箏演奏跨文化融合，多次參與獨立音樂人 RnB 專輯錄制與製作。同時也曾為創作多首現代室內樂作品。師從秦箏派代表人物曲雲教授和孫卓教授。後與青年演奏家劉樂及顧米加學習現代派演奏技巧。在波士頓師從翁惠教授，參與多場世界音樂的音樂會演奏及策劃。

LI Binyang 李濱揚 composer 

Weaving a variety of musical influences together into a unique signature — from traditional Chinese instruments to classical Western orchestras — composer and professor Binyang Li is one of the most renowned composers of his time.  While earning his degree in the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China; Binyang Li studied under the tutelage of professor Du Mingxin. In 1985, Li graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition and taught composition for years at that same conservatory. In 1992, Li received his master’s degree in composition in Louisiana State University under the mentorship of professor Dinos Constantinides. Binyang Li then returned once more to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, this time as a professor of the Composition Department, teaching there for over 15 years.

Li has won numerous prestigious competitions in many different countries. Award-winning works and other main works of Binyang Li include: “First Symphony; “God of Mountains” (Concerto for Guanzi); “Snow. Yellow” (Symphony); “Totem” (Erhu Concerto); “Yellow River From Heaven (Chinese Orchestra, Voice, Chorus); “Qing Shang” (opera); “Patching the Heaven” (Chinese Orchestra); “Nine Spaces” (Symphony); “Passions of Moving Colors” (Symphony); “Danqing” (Pipa Concerto); “String Concerto” (Symphony), “The Hanging Gardens” (For dizi and orchestra); “The Sunset Lake; “Breathe II”; “Breathe IV”; and many other works — including chamber music pieces as well as music for numerous television series and movies.

Li has frequently been sought out and commissioned for his compositions — which have been performed in many different countries and concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Beijing Concert Hall — and he was also one of the composers selected to compose for the 29th Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony in 2008. Binyang Li is currently a member of American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and a member of American Composers Forum (ACF).

李濱揚，當代著名作曲家，博士生導師，中央音樂學院作曲系教授。1980年入中央音樂學院作曲系師從杜鳴心教授。1985年畢業後留校任教。1990年獲全額獎學金赴美留學師從 Dinos Constandinides 教授。1992年獲路易斯安娜州立大學音樂學院碩士學位。其作品在國內外多次獲獎，包括中央音樂學院作曲比賽第一名，Yavanavich Society Contest 比賽第一名，Omni Intermedia Award 金獎以及第十二屆中國全國民樂大型作品創作比賽第二名，第六屆 “金鐘獎” 民族室內樂創作比賽總評分第一名，2008 TMSK 比賽總評分第一名，交響樂《九天》入選交響樂精品工程等等。其作品在歐美包括紐約林肯中心、卡內基音樂廳等多處多國被演奏。2008 年為第29 屆北京奧運會開幕式作曲，為奧運會開幕式簽約作曲家之一。近年創作了大量的（包括委託作品在內的）作品，包括歌劇，管弦樂，音樂劇，室內樂，影視作品等。其創作跨越中西不同領域和體裁，特別是在民族器樂音樂創作上著作頗豐，獨具風格。2011 年 7 月在北京音樂廳舉行李濱揚民族交響樂作品專場音樂會。他也是美國作曲家，作家和出版家協會會員 (ASCAP) 和美國作曲家論壇（ACF）會員。