MUSEconnect 1st Annual Gala

By Eder Guzman

The first annual MUSEconnect, held at the DiMenna concert hall, took place at the Mary Flagler Cary Hall on October 20th 2018. There were some lovely words in the program on behalf of Council Member Peter Koo, Assemblyman Ron Kim, as well as Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. Attendees of the concert series were Local Queens politicians and members of the New York music scene, as well as MUSEconnect advisory board members, donors and sponsors.

Council Member Peter Koo congratulated the inaugural concert and heralded it as a great opportunity for MUSEconnect to exhibit the talent and passion of its membership through by using its high caliber concert series. This will be used as a forum for musicians, music lovers and supporters. This will help promoted diversity in the arts and foster the cultures in the New York community.

Ron Kim, member of Assembly district 40 describes MUSEconnect as a cultural nonprofit, promoting a fusion of east and west using art and music.

Nily Rozic assemblywoman 25th district greets the board directly. She acknowledges board chair Pauline Huang, Music director Dr. Winnie Yang, Program Director Kevin Shue, Treasurer Felix Lee, and marketing Director Bianca Ng.

Pauline Huang, founding member is in favor of using MUSEconnect as a platform to build a bridge beyond the boundaries of eastern and western cultural traditions. There are synergistic efforts with North American Taiwanese woman organization and other cultural organizations.
They hope to one day because an essential part of the community.

The Program started with a tour around Europe to showcase the talents of the performers. 1st off was Polka Italienne by Sergei Rachmaninoff, a fun piece to start us off, followed by Hungarian Dances Nos. 1. 2. 12 and 6. These were of a more romantic element, and were pleasant and joyful. The next was more impressive, having Winnie Yang (Music Director) and Taiwanese Pianist Tzuyi Chen both playing on the same piano, a rare sight. Another piece written by the performers was a Ballade for Piano, Violin, and Cello. Written by Winnie Yang, with the rhapsodic Max Tan (Soloist Chamber Musician) on violin, film composer Julia Kang (Chamber Musician)on Cello, and Tzuyi Chen on piano.

Afterwards there was a brief intermission where some of the audience congratulated the composer and musicians. The 2nd half had three Taiwanese folk songs arranged by Winnie Yang, featuring Kevin Shue (Violinist/Conductor) and Max Tan on Violins, Jordan Bak (Violinist Teacher) on the Viola, Julia Kang on the Cello and Winnie on the Piano.

 

In the final pieces, we had the Antonin Dvorak Piano Quartet in A-minor. This 4 part performance drew us in with Allegro, Ma Non Tanto, continued with Dumka: Andante, Con Moto. The 3rd part Scherzo: Furiant – Molto Vivace, and ended with Finale: Allegro. It was a wild and fitting ending to a wonderfully articulate and discerning performance by world class performances, and this was acknowledged by the crowd who stood with dramatic applause. This will be even as the beginning of the MUSEconnect talent of the highest order, and will draw attention for future performers in the coming years.

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