A Musical Journey with Tan Dun to Honor Chou Wen-Chung

Photo credit Xue Liang

On Jan 10th 2015, a historic concert/discussion took place at the New York Historical Society with the live appearance of three of the world’s leading composers, Chinese Americans Tan Dun, Chen Yi and Zhou Long, winners of Grammy, Academy Award, Grawemeyer Award and Pulitzer prize and more. The special program also served as a tribute to noted 91 year old composer and protégé of Edward Varese, Chou Wen-Chung who first brought them to United States.

Tan Dun, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Chou Wen-Chung

The event started with Tan Dun, Chen Yi and Zhou Long discussing about how they were invited by professor Chou Wen-Chung to come to the United States to study at Columbia University in terms of their journeys from China to America.

Ying Quartet

Then music from all 4 composers was played by famous musicians including: the award winning Ying Quartet, Talujon Percussion Quartet and “the cello goddess” Maya Beiser. In the end of the program, Tan Dun even surprised Chou Wen-Chung with a Happy Birthday song played by Maya Beiser.

Tan Dun, Maya Beiser

This event is part of the New York Historical Society’s ground breaking exhibition Chinese Americans: Exclusion/Inclusion in a series highlighting the contributions of Chinese American artists in a broad range of fields. The artist series program is part of the (2.8 million dollar) 6 month NY Historical society’s Chinese American show tracing the long history of Chinese interest and trade in America from the times of George Washington. After a hard history building the railroad and discrimination of the Exclusion act barring Chinese, this artist series highlights the accomplishment of Chinese Americans success thru opportunities in America and their contributions to the world of the arts.

Shen Wei

Shirley Yang

Louise Mirrer

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