Bright Sheng Tibetan Dance Prelude Song Tibetan Dance. Yao Chen Emanations of Tara PROGRAM

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1 PROGRAM ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-SEVENTH SEASON Chicago Symphony Orchestra Riccardo Muti Zell Music Director Yo-Yo Ma Judson and Joyce Green Creative Consultant Global Sponsor of the CSO Sunday, March 4, 2018, at 2:00 Fullerton Hall, The Art Institute of Chicago Chamber Music Series at The Art Institute of Chicago CIVITAS ENSEMBLE Yuan-Qing Yu Violin Kenneth Olsen Cello Emma Gerstein Flute, Piccolo J. Lawrie Bloom Clarinet Cynthia Yeh Percussion Winston Choi Piano Yihan Chen Pipa CHINA RISES Introduction and Slide Commentary Allison Muscolino, Adjunct Lecturer, The Art Institute of Chicago Bright Sheng Tibetan Dance Prelude Song Tibetan Dance YUAN-QING YU J. LAWRIE BLOOM WINSTON CHOI Yao Chen Emanations of Tara YUAN-QING YU KENNETH OLSEN J. LAWRIE BLOOM WINSTON CHOI YIHAN CHEN INTERMISSION

2 Traditional Chinese Song, arr. Wu Zuqiang A Moonlit Night on the Spring River WINSTON CHOI YIHAN CHEN Zhou Long Five Elements Metal Wood Water Fire Earth YUAN-QING YU KENNETH OLSEN EMMA GERSTEIN J. LAWRIE BLOOM CYNTHIA YEH YIHAN CHEN At the Art Institute Following the concert, please meet at the bottom of the Woman s Board Grand Staircase to explore Chinese works from our permanent collection in celebration of Mirroring China s Past: Emperors and Their Bronzes. This is the first exhibition to explore the ways ancient Chinese bronzes were collected by emperors, revered by artists, and studied by scholars. This afternoon s concert is a collaborative production of The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Art Institute of Chicago. The Steinway designed Boston piano is provided by Steinway, Chicago. 2

3 COMMENTS Bright Sheng Born December 6, 1955; Shanghai, China Tibetan Dance COMPOSED 2000 A MacArthur Fellow, Bright Sheng moved from China to New York in His music ranges from dramatic to lyrical, and is strongly influenced by both folk- and classical- music traditions from eastern and central Asia. Since 2000, Sheng has studied and researched the music of the ancient Silk Road trade route; he also has served as artistic advisor to Yo-Yo Ma s Silkroad Ensemble. In 2011, he founded and became artistic director of Intimacy of Creativity The Bright Sheng Partnership: Composers Meet Performers in Hong Kong, an annual two-week workshop inspired by the music-making processes of past centuries. The workshop brings together emerging composers from Hong Kong and around the world to present and revise their chamber music compositions and discuss their work with performers. Currently, Sheng is the University of Michigan s Leonard Bernstein Distinguished University Professor of Composition, as well as the Y. K. Pao Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Michigan State University commissioned Tibetan Dance for its Verdehr Trio, to which Sheng also dedicated the piece. The first two movements sound reminiscent of songs from a distant memory. In the final movement, the longest of the three, the music takes on a stronger feel of reality. Tibetan Dance s material is based on the rhythms and melodic motives of a Tibetan folk dance from Qinghai, a Chinese province near Tibet s border, where Sheng lived during his teenage years. Yao Chen Born 1976, China Emanations of Tara COMPOSED 2014 Emanations of Tara, commissioned by the Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard University and dedicated to the Civitas Ensemble, premiered in Yao Chen wrote the piece as a musical evocation of Tara, a figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Tara is an enlightened being who shares universal compassion, inspires virtuous action, and guards her followers on their spiritual journey to enlightenment. In Buddhist art, she appears in various forms and colors, and Chen s piece highlights five: green (promotes growth), gold (prosperity and wealth), blue (the transmutation of anger and spiritual awakening), red (a fierce magnet for good things and energies), and white (compassion, longevity, healing, and serenity). Tara s colors can also symbolize different stages of life. Yao Chen s music seeks paths toward transcendence, and, always ritual in nature, it eschews contemporary vogues and instead aims at a timelessness and an otherness that exists beyond standard musical styles. His works also are grounded in a quest for maximum musical meaning. His perceptions on time, timbre, intonation, pulsation, and expression bridge old and new as well as Eastern and Western music. Yao Chen also has written music for films and theater productions. Currently, he is associate professor of composition at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China. 3

4 Traditional Chinese Song (Arranged by Wu Zuqiang) A Moonlit Night on the Spring River Though A Moonlit Night on the Spring River s composer is unknown, its melody has been popular in China since the Ming Dynasty. The earliest handwritten scores existed around 1820 a.d., and in 1895, it was included in a collection of pipa music called Pipa of Xunyang. In 1925, two Shanghai musicians arranged the song for the Chinese National Orchestra, and it was through that version that it received its formal title, named after a famous poem from the Tang Dynasty. Several publications list A Moonlit Night on the Spring River in their top ten Chinese classical pieces of all time. In 2008, the work was featured in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. This version was arranged by composer Wu Zuqiang, one of China s most distinguished twentieth-century composers. Zhou Long Born July 8, 1953; Beijing, China Five Elements COMPOSED 2014 Five Elements was commissioned by the Chinese Fine Arts Society and premiered by the Civitas Ensemble. In China, the five elements (wu xing) are metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Ancient Chinese culture believed that these elements composed the physical universe, and later used them in traditional Chinese medicine to explain various physiological and pathological phenomena. Like the yin and yang, these elemental energies maintain harmony through a system of mutual checks and balances. Each energy is associated with the natural element that most closely resembles its function and character. The first movement, Metal, mimics the sound of forged iron with striking chords played by the pipa. A flowing texture from the winds and strings symbolizes the concept of refinement. Wood, the second movement, depicts spring and the flow of water. Percussive rhythms performed on various wooden instruments, combined with pizzicatos from the strings, run through this movement as a creative energy that brings spring fever to life. The third movement, Water, is associated with winter, and its extensive musical texture and broad doubling melodies build a cool color tone that lies placid like a pool. The fourth movement, Fire, contains consistent rhythmic drumming with energetic figures played by the entire ensemble. The final movement, Earth, is grounded, yet open and expansive. Its conclusion brings all the elements into perfect balance. Zhou Long, who received a Pulitzer Prize in 2011 for his first opera, Madame White Snake, is recognized for his unique body of music that brings together Eastern and Western aesthetic concepts and musical elements. Deeply grounded in his Chinese heritage, in his music Zhou Long stretches Western instruments eastward and Chinese instruments westward with the goal of achieving an exciting and fertile common ground. Born into an artistic family, Zhou Long began piano lessons at an early age. He has studied composition, music theory, conducting, and traditional Chinese music. In 1977, Zhou Long enrolled in the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing s first composition class. Following graduation in 1983, he was appointed composer-in-residence with the National Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra of China. Under a fellowship to attend Columbia University, Zhou Long traveled to the United States in 1985, where he studied with Chou Wen-chung, Mario Davidovsky, and George Edwards. He received a doctor of musical arts degree from Columbia University in Zhou Long is distinguished professor of music at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. 4

5 PROFILES Civitas Ensemble Founded in 2011, the Civitas Ensemble possesses a threefold mission: to engage audiences with performances of new and traditional works, to inspire young classical musicians, and to bring the healing power of music to those with limited access to live performances. The group performs in hospitals, retirement living facilities, and Chicago schools; in recognition of its community engagement efforts, it was invited to perform with Yo-Yo Ma at the 2012 Chicago Humanities Festival. Civitas has performed at Millennium Park s Pritzker Pavilion, as part of Chicago s Loops and Variations series, and on WFMT-FM. The group also is in residence with the Chinese Fine Arts Society. The musicians of Civitas nurture relationships with living composers and often commission new works. In 2016, the ensemble participated in Chicago s inaugural Ear Taxi Festival and gave the world premiere of a piece written for it by David Clay Mettens. In 2017, Civitas commissioned a new work by Lukas Sommer, which premiered in Prague and Chicago as part of the ensemble s yearlong Alla Zingarese collaboration with Czech violinist Pavel Šporcl and the Gipsy Way Ensemble. Most recently, the group recorded and gave the world premiere of Augusta Read Thomas s Plea for Peace as part of a symposium at the University of Chicago. The Civitas Ensemble s season marks its seventh year as ensemble-in-residence at Valparaiso University s Music School. In October and November 2017, the group performed French repertoire at Chicago s Merit School of Music and Driehaus Museum. Its winter concerts embrace international collaborations to bring Chinese and Chinese-American composers and music to the forefront. The ensemble performs repertoire that spans four centuries, as well as numerous genres and styles. Its first recording, a collaboration with the Gipsy Way Ensemble called Alla Zingarese, was released in Yuan-Qing Yu Violin An internationally acclaimed violinist, Yuan-Qing Yu joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in A year later, Daniel Barenboim appointed her assistant concertmaster. She leads an active life as a soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and music advocate. A native of Shanghai, China, Yuan-Qing Yu won the Chinese National Violin Competition at the age of seventeen. The following year, she captured second prize in the Menuhin Competition. She was awarded the grand prize in the International Holland Music Sessions Competition two years later. She also took the third grand prize in the Jacques Thibaud International Competition in Paris. Yuan-Qing Yu has given many critically acclaimed performances as a featured soloist with the CSO, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic, Radio France Philharmonic, and the London City Orchestra. She has performed concertos under Christoph von Dohnányi, Yehudi Menuhin, and James DePreist, among others. She also has appeared in recital throughout the United States and Europe. An active chamber musician, she has collaborated with Daniel Barenboim, Pinchas Zukerman, Menahem Pressler, Lang Lang, and Yo-Yo Ma. In 2011, Yuan-Qing Yu and her CSO colleagues founded the Civitas Ensemble. Yuan-Qing Yu teaches at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and Valparaiso University; she will join Northwestern University s Bienen School of Music faculty in the upcoming school year. 5

6 Kenneth Olsen Cello Kenneth Olsen joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal cello in He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and winner of the school s prestigious concerto competition. Other awards include first prize in the Nakamichi Cello Competition at the Aspen Music Festival and second prize at the 2002 Holland-America Music Society Competition. His teachers have included Richard Aaron at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Joel Krosnick at the Juilliard School of Music, and Luis García-Renart at Bard College. He also has been a participant at the Ravinia Festival s Steans Institute for Young Artists and at Boston University s Tanglewood Institute. A native of New York, Olsen is a founding member of the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, which consists of young musicians from ensembles nationwide. Emma Gerstein Flute, Piccolo Appointed as second flute by music director Riccardo Muti, Emma Gerstein joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Before joining the Orchestra, she performed as a guest several times, including on the CSO s 2016 tour to Asia with Riccardo Muti. Most recently, Gerstein served as principal flute of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in New Zealand. She previously was a flute fellow with the New World Symphony from 2013 to 2016, and principal flute of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra in Kentucky for the season. She also has performed as part of the flute section of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and as guest principal flute of the Seattle Symphony. Gerstein has participated in the Aspen, Spoleto USA, Sarasota, Orford, and Cabrillo music festivals. A native of Chicago s Hyde Park neighborhood, she began her flute studies at the age of eight and later was a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. She went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music with Robert Langevin and at Indiana University with Thomas Robertello. Gerstein has taught privately in Auckland and has given master classes at Northwestern and Auckland universities. J. Lawrie Bloom Clarinet In 1980, Sir Georg Solti invited J. Lawrie Bloom to join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as clarinet and solo bass clarinet. He previously held similar appointments with the Phoenix Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra, and Vancouver and Cincinnati symphony orchestras. Bloom has been heard in chamber, orchestral, and concerto appearances on soprano, basset, and bass clarinets. He began studying piano at the age of four, and five years later, switched to clarinet. He continued his studies at the Columbus Boychoir School, under the guidance of Roger McKinney. He later studied with Anthony Gigliotti. The founder and artistic co-director of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival and the Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition, Bloom frequently performs at the Northwestern 6

7 University Winter Chamber Festival, and on the CSO s chamber music and MusicNOW series. Bloom is a founding member of the Civitas Ensemble. His engagements have included performances at the Ambler, Grand Teton, Ravinia, Skaneateles, Spoleto, and Mostly Mozart festivals. He has collaborated with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; the Chester, Chicago Symphony, and Mendelssohn string quartets; the Chicago Chamber Musicians; and members of the Ridge, Orion, and Vermeer string quartets. He often has been heard live on WFMT-FM and via the Australian Broadcasting Company. A senior lecturer in clarinet at Northwestern University, Bloom has presented master classes worldwide. He also is an artist performer for clarinet manufacturers Buffet Crampon USA and the reed company Rico International. Cynthia Yeh Percussion Cynthia Yeh joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as principal percussion in She previously served as principal percussion of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Yeh received a bachelor of music performance degree from the University of British Columbia and a master of music performance degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, where she studied with Alan Abel. She has received grants and awards from the Canada Council Grant for the Arts, British Columbia Arts Council, and Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation. Yeh regularly performs on the CSO s MusicNOW series, as well as with various chamber ensembles throughout Chicago. She has given master classes and clinics throughout the United States and Canada, including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Northwestern University, New World Symphony, Indiana University, Peabody Conservatory, University of Michigan, and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. In 2009, Yeh served on the faculty at the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. Winston Choi Piano Winston Choi is head of the piano program at Roosevelt University s Chicago College of Performing Arts. His professional career was launched when he was named laureate of Canada s 2003 Honens International Piano Competition and winner of France s 2002 Orle ans International Piano Competition. His solo, chamber, and concerto appearances have taken him across four continents. Known for his colorful approach to programming and insightful commentary from the stage, Choi has appeared in recital at the National Arts Centre of Canada, Weill Recital Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Kravis Center, the Library of Congress, and Merkin Recital Hall. He performs extensively in France, including venues such as the Salle Cortot and at the Messiaen Festival, Strasbourg Festival, and IRCAM. Released on the French label Empreinte Digitale, his debut disc featuring the complete piano works of Elliott Carter received five stars from BBC Music Magazine. He also can be heard on the Albany, Arktos, BIS, La Buissonne, Crystal, Intrada, Naxos, and Quadro Frame labels. 7

8 Yihan Chen Pipa Yihan Chen received a bachelor s degree from the China Conservatory of Music in That same year, she taught pipa at the conservatory s affiliated middle school. Yihan Chen has performed at many major international music festivals in China, the United States, France, Portugal, Canada, Japan, and Italy, including the Spoleto, Lincoln Center, Lotus, Radio France, and Skaneateles festivals; the Avignon Film Festival; and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra s New Music Festival. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, and other leading venues. Yihan Chen has collaborated with internationally renowned composers such as Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Qigang Chen, and Bright Sheng. She was a soloist with Beijing s Hua Xia Chamber Ensemble and has performed with New York s Music from China since She holds prizes from the Huain Cup Chinese Instrument Competition, among others. Allison Muscolino Lecturer Allison Muscolino joined the Art Institute of Chicago s Department of Museum Education in She has since held positions there working with senior programs, the Woman s Board, and the Community Associates. Most recently, she served as manager for lectures and performances, organizing a variety of innovative learning opportunities for diverse museum audiences. Prior to arriving at the Art Institute, she earned bachelor s degrees in art history and history, as well as a master s degree in art history from the University of Notre Dame. She began her career in museum education at the Snite Museum of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. As an adjunct lecturer, tutor, and independent scholar, Muscolino enjoys engaging learners through focused observation, collaborative dialogue, and critical thinking.