The Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts (FCPA) is set to captivate audiences once again with its vibrant summer concert series at New England Conservatory’s Williams Hall and Jordan Hall, running from August 7th to August 23rd. This marks the fifth iteration of the series, which has become a cherished fixture for music enthusiasts in Boston, offering a rich display of musical expression and featuring esteemed artists from around the globe.
Since its inception in 1989, the FCPA has been dedicated to promoting Asian musicians and the rich musical heritage of the East. Over its 34-year history, the Foundation has hosted more than 159 concerts in prestigious venues, including Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, Harvard’s Sanders Theater, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s Calderwood Hall, and New York’s Carnegie Hall. Renowned artists who have graced the stage include Yo-Yo Ma, Fou Ts’ong, Tan Dun, and Stella Chen, contributing significantly to the celebration of Asian classical music.
In addition to its concert series, the FCPA has also hosted an Annual Music Festival at Walnut Hill School for the Arts for 28 years, drawing students from all over the world. Notable alumni include acclaimed musicians like Lang Lang and George Li. This ongoing commitment to fostering musical talent is reflected in the upcoming summer series at NEC, which will also spotlight Western artists.
The summer concert series features an exciting lineup of soloists and collaborations. Pianist Sahun Sam Hong will kick off the series on August 7th with a diverse program that includes works by Glass, Brahms, Copland, and Beethoven. Following him, pianist Hsiang Tu will present an all-Ravel program on August 8th, showcasing the beauty and complexity of Ravel’s compositions.
On August 13th, Jialin Yao, the winner of last year’s Fou Ts’ong International Competition and a celebrated soloist, will perform a program featuring works from Beethoven to Ravel. Violinist Luke Hsu will take the stage on August 14th, delivering a complete performance of the 24 Paganini Caprices with a unique operatic interpretation.
The concert series continues with pianist Sophia Liu on August 15th, who will interpret notable pieces by Chopin, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky. Following this, Hyun-Gyu Ji will present Bach’s monumental Goldberg Variations on August 19th. Sunny Lin Kai Zhang, also a recent prizewinner of the Fou Ts’ong International Competition, will explore a colorful program from Beethoven to Scriabin on August 21st.
Among the highlights of this year’s series is the Fou Ts’ong International Concerto Competition, held on August 16th and 17th. Widely regarded as the centerpiece of the summer festival, the competition is open to the public and promises thrilling performances from participating musicians. The first-prize winner will have the opportunity to perform with conductor Channing Yu and the Mercury Orchestra during the grand finale on August 23rd.
The competition this year features Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand—a piece celebrated for its innovative and dramatic qualities. A distinguished jury, including Marc-André Hamelin, Channing Yu, and Sergey Schepkin, will determine the winner. Schepkin is also scheduled to perform a solo recital on August 10th, featuring Beethoven’s Sonata, Debussy’s Preludes, works by Schoenberg, and Schumann’s Carnaval.
Duos will play a prominent role in the series, starting with the combination of cellist Leland Ko and pianist Adria Ye on August 9th, performing works by Beethoven, Fauré, and others. The Psychopomp Ensemble will follow on August 11th, showcasing four-hand arrangements of pieces by Laufey, Billie Holiday, and Duke Ellington, as well as orchestral overtures like Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Cellist Jonah Ellsworth from the Boston Symphony Orchestra will join pianist Evren Ozel on August 12th for an exquisite evening featuring Beethoven, Britten, and Rachmaninoff. On August 20th, violinist Julian Rhee, a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, will perform alongside pianist Chelsea Wang, highlighting works by Pärt and Ravel. Finally, on August 22nd, violinist Keila Wakao and pianist Dina Vainshtein will deliver a captivating program that includes works from Schumann, Beethoven, and Brahms.
Rounding out the series, members of the New York Philharmonic—violinist Quan Ge, violist Cong Wu, and cellist Nathan Vickery—will collaborate with pianist Yinfei Wang on August 18th to perform a selection of Mozart’s duo and piano quartet, as well as Dohnányi’s string trio.
With its rich offerings, this year’s summer concert series promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music and talent at the New England Conservatory.
image source from：classical-scene
