Portrait of Bright Sheng
The Curtis 20/21 Ensemble performs works in collaboration with Bright Sheng, the 2019–20 composer in residence. Each piece on the program—composed, coached, and in many cases, performed by Dr. Sheng—embodies his unique compositional aesthetic, synthesizing Asian influences with the Western musical tradition.
In a hallmark of its annual programming, the Curtis 20/21 Ensemble has presented concert portraits of iconic composers in residence Unsuk Chin, John Corigliano, George Crumb, Krzysztof Penderecki, Kaija Saariaho, Augusta Read Thomas, and Chen Yi, among many others. Of the ensemble’s Joan Tower portrait program, the New York Times wrote, “Ms. Tower could hardly have hoped for more passionate performances.”
The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-concert conversation between Bright Sheng and David Serkin Ludwig, artistic director of the Curtis 20/21 Ensemble.
SHENG | Quartet No. 4 (“Silent Temple”) |
Vera Quartet | |
SHENG | Clearwater Rhapsody |
Cathy Yang, erhu | |
Claire Bourg, violin | |
Justin Goldsmith, cello | |
Bright Sheng, piano | |
SHENG | Dance Capriccio |
Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin | |
Youjin Lee, violin | |
Cynthia Phillippi, viola | |
Albert Seo, cello | |
Zitong Wang, piano | |
SHENG | Deep Red |
Pius Cheung, marimba | |
Jihoo Yu, flute | |
Kip Zimmerman, oboe | |
Yan Liu, clarinet | |
Rachael Lee, bassoon | |
Andrew Stump, horn | |
Maya Anjali Buchanan, violin | |
Youjin Lee, violin | |
Cynthia Phillippi, viola | |
Albert Seo, cello | |
Jason Henery, double bass | |
William Yang, piano | |
Bright Sheng, conductor |
Generous support for the Curtis 20/21 Ensemble is provided by the Daniel W. Dietrich II Foundation.