“Song of Praise”: A Chinese-Canadian Story
‘Song of Praise’ is a special and personal program that explores the complex and multidimensional aspects that make up our identities as Chinese-Canadian classical musicians. This collection of diverse repertoire not only pays homage to our Chinese heritage, but also highlights our passion for Canadian culture and advocates for Western classical masterpieces. Being born in China, immigrating at a young age to Canada, and growing up shaped by our intensive study of Western classical music, all three elements became intertwined and deeply rooted in our personalities.
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Saint-Saëns Piano Trio No.2
We finally have these amaaaazing quality recordings! 💕 so lucky to get to play in the beautiful Pollack Hall and work with such talented recording artists through long, late, bizarre, confusing, derpy, fun, exciting sessions ~
Sometimes just appreciating and listening attentively to the audio without a visual component is a much more powerful experience of the music.
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Autumn Reflections
It’s been a non-stop rollercoaster ride since summer - Orford 3 times, PianoFest in the Hamptons, visiting Ottawa and Calgary, big solo recital and 2 chamber concerts, juggling 3-4 piano trios at once, recording sessions into the small hours of the morning, non-stop grant writing … it’s been pretty intense, to say the least. And amazing. Amazingly rewarding work and growth :’)
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PianoFest in the Hamptons ‘19
So grateful for this big family and for building these meaningful relationships with such talented musicians with awesomeeee personalities :’) … oh all the fun we’ve had, all the stories … what a privileged life we live to be artists and musicians <3 constant adventures and discoveries alongside the struggles and challenges and hard work. It’s always always worth it. The people we meet, the places we go, the music we share, the inspirations and energy and passion and life … So grateful.
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Mozart Piano Sonata No.3 in B-flat Major, KV.281
Born in Salzburg, Mozart began composing at the tender age of 5, and over the course of the next 30 years, produced over 600 symphonic, chamber, choral, and solo works that became masterworks in the classical music repertoire. However, the ultimate pinnacle of his genius is often said to be his operas. The effortless ability to create vibrant characters, playful dialogues, lyrical melodies, colorful orchestrations - all his talents come together in this genre to bring alive stories that are full of charm, humor, wit, and drama.
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Scriabin Piano Sonata No.5, Op.58
“You have heard my mysterious summons, ye hidden powers of life, and now you stir; the wave of my being, light as a dream, has touched the world./ To life, to light! I awaken you to life with my acts of tenderness, with the mysterious attraction of my promises./ I summon you to life, ye secret drives submerged in the chaos of perceptions. Rise up from the mysterious depths of the creative spirit./ Like unto me shall you strive to help everyone and everything around you to supreme evolution. For everything is your creation, just as everything that exists is my creation. You and I – we are gods! We shall conquer hatred and death, boundless joy shall reign. Life shall flow onward like a shimmering and gleaming stream.”
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Insights from Mr. Ronan O’Hora
How do we best approach performances mentally? What do we think about or focus on once we’re on stage?
‘The only way is to listen. Be in the moment of the performance.”
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Orford Musique! And a little ‘poetry’ from Mr. Laplante
There’s something about the summer festival environment that is so fun and inspiring and motivates all this growth and discovery and learning and progress in such a special, productive way. Perhaps it’s the nature - being engulfed by glittering green colors and fresh mountain air, encountering wonderful personalities and friendships, … and the luxury of focusing only on music music music …
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Updates: Summer and Fall 2019
Lots of exciting news and events coming up for this summer and fall!
June 9 to 16: Orford Music Masterclasses
July 16 to August 11: MusicFest
August 11 to 17: competing in Orford Music Award
September 6: Solo Recital at Pollack Hall
September 21: Opening Concert for the Westmount Park Heritage Festival
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Kuma Trio residency at LAMP!
It’s been such a memorable experience at LAMP - full of intense music making (rehearsals, coachings, driving out to outreach concerts, preparing for our final concert), but also so full of fun and warmth from the community (Burt, Kathie, the LAMP trio, our host parents and of course - Sasha!).
LAMP is such a unique and rewarding place to make music and grow as artists because of the immense personal quality of its programs. The quaint town of Lunenburg has this peaceful, intimate, artistic, and cozy vibe. The hospitality and genuine kindness of everyone we encountered just blew us away.
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Spotlight interview from RWS Entertainment!
Can’t believe another 4 months flew by so quickly!!! The Eurodam was so fun, all that hiking in Alaska and driving around Hawaii and lying on the beaches of Mexico … and most of all, this quintet family has been a truly special group <3. ALSO - I’m super excited to be featured on one of RWS Entertainment’s Spotlight interviews!
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Franck Violin Sonata on the MS Eurodam
It's been quite a productive third contract so far! Emilie and I already put on a recital project - Masterworks: Franck, featuring the Cesar Franck's Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano. It was a really rewarding process to finally learn this demanding collaborative work and to present it in such a short amount of time. More music to come!
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Z4 in Beijing!
What a week it's been - great adventures exploring the Imperial Palace, trying delicious street foods, and making wonderful music. Thank you to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing for being such generous hosts and offering us this opportunity!
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Solo Recital in Montreal
It's been a wonderful first year in Montreal - full of new friends, new experiences, and the privilege to make so much great music. I love this city so much - its people, its quaint streets and delicious foods, its abundance of art and life and inspiration.
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A night to remember - Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3 with the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra
I really can’t put to words how much I love sharing music, how much it means to me. I am so grateful. Thank you to such a warm and supportive orchestra, thank you Claude for this opportunity, for this special, memorable, passionate collaboration. Thank you, Rachmaninoff.
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