On June 13th, the captivating, themed “Love: Sea & Nature”, was held at our school. This momentous event marked the commencement of a harmonious and collaborative partnership between the renowned Bard College Conservatory of Music (BCCM) and the esteemed Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao (YMSQ). Led by Tan Dun, the distinguished Dean of BCCM, and our esteemed President Lu Siqing, this unforgettable evening showcased a repertoire of timeless classical masterpieces, performed by exceptionally talented students and accomplished faculty members from both institutions.
With a distinguished 163-year history of integrated and diverse teaching and scholarship, Bard College is renowned for its commitment to guiding young musicians towards reaching their utmost potential through a comprehensive education in the humanities and sciences, alongside their professional music training. The college’s mission is to cultivate musicians who transcend cultural boundaries between East and West. All undergraduates are required to complete a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in non-music studies within a five-year timeframe. Dean Tan Dun himself graced the inauguration of the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, acknowledging its significance. The school’s philosophy featuring holistic education aligns harmoniously with Bard's vision of training musicians who embrace both Eastern and Western cultures. The Menuhin-Bard evening concert served as an exceptional platform for academic exchange between the two institutions, showcasing the remarkable musical talents of students and faculty members, while exemplifying the harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western artistic expressions and fostering an international dialogue in education.
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During the first half of the concert, musicians from the Bard College in New York collaborated with students and teachers from the Yehudi Menuhin School in Qingdao to present a diverse repertoire ranging from Liszt to Mozart, Handel to Shostakovich. The selected compositions represented a variety of styles, each radiating the infectious power and charm of music. The string quartet, comprising four teachers from the Bard College Conservatory of Music, demonstrated their mastery with impeccable performance techniques and seamless ensemble cohesion, bringing out the profound essence of the works. The group of four students from the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao delivered a captivating interpretation of Mozart's Piano Quartet in G minor, showcasing their exceptional talents as the stars of tomorrow.
D. Shostakovich: Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano
I.Prelude
II.Gavotte
III.Elegy
IV.Waltz
V.Polka
Violin: He Shucong (Faculty member, YMSQ)
Violin: Shawn Moore (Faculty member, BCCM)
Piano: Wang Ziyue (Faculty member, YMSQ)
Handel Halvorsen: Passacaglia
Violin: Tymur Melnyk (Faculty member, YMSQ)
Cello: Julian Langford (Faculty member, BCCM)
F. Liszt: Un Sospiro
Piano: Patrick Lechner (Faculty member, YMSQ)
Shi He: Il s'est endormi
Violin: Tymur Melnyk (Faculty member, YMSQ)
Piano: Shi He (Faculty member, YMSQ)
W. A. Mozart: Piano Quartet in G Minor
I.Allegro
Violin: Jing Haoran (Student, YMSQ)
Viola: Chen Qikai (Student, YMSQ)
Cello: Kuang Yihao (Student, YMSQ)
Piano: Wang Zikang (Student, YMSQ)
Joan Tower: Wild Summer
Bard Quartet
Violin: Shawn Moore (Faculty member, BCCM)
Violin: Andrew Meyer (Faculty member, BCCM)
Viola: Zhang Jing (Member, Bard Quartet)
Cello: Julian Langford (Faculty member, BCCM)
The second half of the concert reached a series of exhilarating climaxes as YMSQ President Lu Siqing took the stage, leading students and teachers in the performance of two iconic works by Vivaldi. The first piece, Winter from Four Seasons, showcased President Lu Siqing, alongside students and teachers from both schools, delivering a captivating interpretation of the Baroque style and immersing the audience in the beauty of wintry music. The second piece, A Minor Double Violin Concerto, featured a heartfelt dialogue between Lu Siqing and Shawn Moore. Their performance demonstrated a delightful interplay of layered dynamics, delicate nuances, and a resounding rhythm, igniting the audience with profound emotions and compelling power.
Vivaldi: Winter from Four Seasons
I.Allegro non molto
II.Largo
III.Allegro
Violin: Lu Siqing
Vivaldi: A Minor Double Violin Concerto
I.Allegro
II.Largo
III.Presto
Violin: Lu Siqing, Shawn Moore
The evening reached its grand finale with the highly anticipated Chinese premiere of the Violin & Piano Concerto Op. 3, No. 8, composed and conducted by Dean of BCCM Tan Dun. President Lu Siqing, pianist Frank Corliss (Managing Director of BCCM), and renowned percussionist Josephine Lin joined forces to deliver a captivating performance.
This remarkable concerto draws its musical material from two film scores by Tan Dun, namely, ‘Hero’ and ‘The Banquet’. It reflects the composer's profound understanding of the contemporary era and the evolution of musical expression, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western concepts into its musical fabric. With its distinct fusion of string and percussion instruments, the collaborative performance by students and teachers from both schools showcased a unique and independent double concerto. The composition encapsulates a rich palette of emotions, ranging from the gentle and sublime to the lively and exuberant, from delicate nuances to resounding grandeur. The audience, deeply moved by the mesmerizing journey, erupted into an unending ovation, offering the highest admiration for this magnificent piece.
Tan Dun: Violin & Piano Concerto Op. 3, No. 8
I.Misterioso
II.Misterioso
III.Misterioso
Violin: Lu Siqing
Piano: Frank Corliss
Percussion: Josephine Lin
Bass: Luan Xinting
Conductor: Tan Dun
Festival Orchestra: YMSQ Faculty & Bard Quartet
As the concert concluded, the audience erupted into an extended applause, paying homage to classical music and the music educators who transmit its timeless beauty. Moving forward, the Bard College Conservatory of Music and the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao will continue to foster academic exchanges and collaborative performances, enriching the landscape of music education.