Meet the Maestro: More than Classics
As most of the concert audience, we are hardly able to observe the conductors from their front. Even for the musicians on stage, the off-podium life of the conductors is often veiled under obscurity. Therefore, the Conducting Division of the School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen now launches the series seminar “Meet the Maestro”, which unfolds the conductor’s real mind, decision and philosophy to us from multiple perspectives, by featuring invited guest conductors of diverse fields to deliver masterclass, lectures, rehearsals, or other forms of sharing sessions.
In the previous four sessions, we had the privilege of engaging in face-to-face discussions with Prof. Lingfen WU, Prof. Julian SHEW, Prof. Sharon CHOA, and Prof. Christian EHWALD. Through these interactions, we delved deeply into the art of conducting, exploring numerous historical masterpieces ranging from choral works to symphonies.
In the upcoming masterclass, Prof. Ye JIN, deputy director of Conducting Department of China Conservatory of Music, will focus on Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, a groundbreaking work that revolutionized symphonic style and form. It reflects Beethoven's profound contemplation of human nature and heroism, leaving a lasting impact on future composers. The symphony features grand orchestration, rich harmonies, contrapuntal techniques, and dramatic musical development. Prof. JIN will share his expertise in conducting, musical interpretation, and artistic expression, providing valuable insights for students and audiences to deepen their understanding and appreciation of this iconic symphony and the art of conducting.
【顿补迟别&补尘辫;罢颈尘别】
Oct.24, 2023 (Tues.) 18:00
【痴别苍耻别】
Auditorium 364, Teaching Building
School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen
【尝别肠迟耻谤别谤】
Prof. Ye JIN
【笔颈补苍颈蝉迟】
Jie SONG/Xiaoyu XU/Yihuan CHEN
Admission Free.
Visitors are requested to scan the QR code for registration.
Prof. Ye JIN
Ye JIN, Professor and deputy director of the China Conservatory of Music Conducting Department, tutor of doctoral degree, musical director and principal conductor of Jilin Symphonic Orchestra, principal guest conductor of Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, principal conductor of Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Huaxia Chinese Orchestra in CCM.
Besides conducting teaching at CCM, he is also passionate about performing various programs on the stage. The remarkable events include: conducting the premier of ‘Sino-tibetica’ Multimedia Symphony Concert at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in 2021 and 2020; conducting the premiere of ‘Images of Pure Land’ and ‘Images of the Silk Road’ supported by the China National Arts Fund at NCPA in 2018 and 2016; conducting the premiere of ‘Chasing Dreams’ series of concert at NCPA in 2017; conducting the premiere of stage work Flowers concert version composed by Zhang Qianyi at NCPA in 2017; conducting Chinese classic opera Xiao Er Hei’s Marriage for multiple times at NCPA from 2010 to 2011; conducting Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale in Chinese and English version for multiple times in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, etc. from 2009 to 2013; conducting the official recording of the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China and other pieces of opening ceremony music for the Beijing Olympic Games In 2008.
Ye JIN is also active in many otherareas of music, his significant works include: holding the ‘Jin Ye Trio’s Tributes to Jazz Classic’ and ‘Midnight Rose: Night of Jazz’ concert at NCPA in 2021; composing and conducting the premiere of Jazz Musical Life Order Form under the delegation of Musical Department of Beijing Dance Academy in 2018, and publishing the collection of feature songs from the musical in 2020; being invited by the National Ministry of Culture as a Jazz pianist, attending the ‘China -Middle East Europe —Jazz Concert’ for the 17 National Culture Ministries’ ministers from the Season of Forum Culture in 2017; conducting the premiere of original musical theatre Perhaps Tomorrow is Belonging to Me at PLA Theatre as the music director in 2015; being invited to cooperate with the China Film Archive during Beijing National Movie Festival, and giving the improvisation of background music for many classical silent films such as The Cave of Silver Web, Striving, and Stormy Night; being invited and attending the London Jazz Festival, NCPA May Festival, NCPA ‘Taihu’ Jazz Festival, Beijing ‘Nine Gates’ Jazz Festival, Beijing ‘Yue Gu’ International Pop Music Festival and Zhuhai ‘Bei Shan’ Jazz Festival since 2012.
Jie SONG
Jie SONG, pianist, is currently serving as a Collaborative Piano faculty at the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. She has been praised by Martha Argerich for the “serious devotion” of her playing. She is a member of the society of Pi Kappa Lambda.
In 2017 summer, she became a student of the prestigious International Piano Academy Lake Como in Italy, where she studied with William Grant Naboré. SONG held a doctoral degree in piano performance from Boston University, an Artist Diploma from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, a Master's degree at Bowling Green State University and Tianjin Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor's degree at Tianjin Conservatory of Music, where her major teachers were Haewon Song, Roberto Plano, Gila Goldstein, Robert Satterlee, and Xiaoliang Lv. As a dedicated teacher, SONG was a teaching assistant at Boston University.
SONG has taught and performed in the U.S. and China. She has participated in master classes with such renowned artists as András Schiff, William Grant Naboré, Tamás Vásáry, Malcolm Bilson, Jeremy Denk, and Bern Goetzke, and has performed recitals at several cities, including Boston, Washington D.C., Seattle, Ann Arbor, Cleveland, as well as venues in major cities in China. She has been heard in radio broadcasts in the United States, most notably on WCLV in Cleveland.
SONG has appeared at numerous international festivals, among them the Gilmore Keyboard Festival, and Seattle Piano Institute. An active chamber musician, SONG has performed Brahms's Piano Quintet with the Calder Quartet. She also appeared in many chamber music recitals. Meanwhile, she puts a lot of passion into collaborative music. She served as a collaborative pianist at many universities, including Boston University, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and Bowling Green State University.
Xiaoyu XU
Xiaoyu XU is currently a Collaborative Piano faculty at the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. She graduated from the Composition and Conducting Department of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2022 and became the first Master of Arts in Opera Coaching at the conservatory.
She studied under renowned vocal coach Professor Wei Fugen, conductor Professor Wang Yan, and Vienna State Opera Vocal Coach Alessandro Amoretti. Additionally, she received guidance in vocal performance from Professor Li Mingyue and opera artist Chi Liming.
As an opera coach, she has rehearsed for the original ethnic opera A Letter to My Wife, a project supported by the China National Arts Fund, at the Fujian Opera and Dance Theater; the operas Così fan tutte, Le nozze di Figaro, and The Cloth Peddler produced by Tianjin Opera and Dance Drama Theater; and the opera Tosca jointly produced by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Shanghai Opera House, and Shanxi Grand Theater. She served as the piano accompaniment of the Youth Chorus of the China National Symphony Orchestra, piano accompaniment of the Xi’an Symphony Orchestra-Chorus, and vocal coach of the Tianjin Opera and Dance Drama Theater. She was invited to serve as the vocal coach for the China division of the 2019 Bologna International Vocal Competition and the collaborative piano coach for the 2022 Poly (Tianjin) Orchestral Art Festival.
As a choral conductor, she established the Youth Chorus of the Silk Road International Art Center and led the chorus, along with the vocal department of the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, in successfully hosting a choral concert at the Silk Road Center Concert Hall.
In terms of academic research, her paper received the third prize in the Vocal Music category at the "Wanye Cup" Paper Collection and Evaluation event held during the 2022 National Music Education. Her article titled An Exploration of the Characteristic of Opera Director in Rehearsal Practice was published in the journal "Art of Singing". She was invited to participate in the International Forum on Musical Performance Studies (IFMPS 2023) and deliver a keynote speech.
She won multiple awards in international vocal and piano competitions, such as the 2017 Hong Kong International Vocal Competition and the 2015 Hong Kong International Piano Competition. She also coached her students to win gold awards in national piano and vocal competitions, and she received several awards for Outstanding Coaching Teacher.
She also performed as a solo pianist, singer, and choral conductor at various prestigious venues, including the Universit?t für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Shanghai Grand Theater, Shanghai Opera House, Beijing Concert Hall, Tianjin Grand Theater, and Silk Road International Art Center. Her performances left a lasting impression at these prestigious venues.
Yihuan CHEN
Yihuan CHEN is currently serving as a Collaborative Piano faculty at the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and a guest pianist of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. At the age of 17, Yihuan CHEN received scholarship admission letters from seven music colleges worldwide, including the Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and the Royal College of Music. In the same year, she entered the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music of the National University of Singapore on a full scholarship and studied for a bachelor’s degree with the renowned pianist and head of the Piano Department Professor Albert Tiu. Later, she was admitted to Kyung Hee University in South Korea with a full scholarship for a master’s degree, under the tutelage of the famous music producer and pianist Jeon YoonHan. She has been taught by many top musicians in China and abroad, including Gabriel Kwok, Sheng Yuan, Helen Sim, Zhao Yinyin, Sir Stephen Hough, etc.
In 2012, Yihuan CHEN was invited to Vietnam to participate in the Keppel Scholars Appreciation Concert music event. She was selected by the famous international pianist Mr. Dang Thaison as the only scholarship student to study at the Kirishima International Music Festival in Japan in 2013. After returning to China in 2019, she attended many large-scale concerts with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, including China Media Group's 2021 New Year Concert - Sail to the Greater Bay Area, "Ode to Heroes" Concert - Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China (Shenzhen), etc. Yihuan CHEN has cooperated with many world-class musicians, including LI Xincao, LiIN Daye, TAN Dun, Yong-yan HU, LU Siqing, SHI Yijie, DAI Yuqiang, etc. She was praised by pianist Dang Thaison as "Her performance is full of delicate emotions, and indicates a free spirit."
