Yo-Yo Ma News

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (COP) explores the sound of the pipa alongside familiar European repertoire with works of Mozart and Dvo?ak. These works for strings by master composers are followed by a traditional Chinese tune arranged by COP's own Dirk Brosse. The Pipa is showcased alongside the Chamber Orchestra's sound in Lou Harrison's Concerto for Pipa with String Orchestra. Wu Man will also first introduce us to the instrument by playing a solo piece for the Pipa in the intimate setting of the Perelman Theater.

In early 2019, Kaufman Music Center will launch a new classical concert series at Merkin Hall, 'Only at Merkin with Terrance McKnight.' Hosted by WQXR's Terrance McKnight and showcasing some of the classical world's most acclaimed and celebrated artists, these evenings of insightful conversation and virtuosic performances will enlighten and inspire, deepening the audience's understanding and appreciation of the music, the composers, and the artists' creative process.

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic performs at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts in Seattle on November 3 at 7:30 PM as part of their 2018 North American tour. The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lu, returns two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut in December 2016-this time featuring star pianist Stephen Hough. Described by The Guardian as possessing 'the most perfect piano playing conceivable,' Hough will perform Liszt's dazzling first piano concerto with the orchestra. The concert name 'From Formosa' gives a nod to the historic republic on the island of Taiwan while the music traces Taiwan's classical music tradition with Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin's 'Dancing Song' from Three Aboriginal Songs for Orchestra alongside Brahms's beloved second symphony.

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic performs at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego on October 31 at 8:00 PM as part of their 2018 North American tour. The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lu, returns two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut in December 2016-this time including star pianist Stephen Hough. Described by The Guardian as possessing 'the most perfect piano playing conceivable,' Hough will perform Liszt's dazzling first piano concerto with the orchestra. The concert name 'From Formosa' gives a nod to the historic republic on the island of Taiwan while the music traces Taiwan's classical music tradition with Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin's 'Dancing Song' from Three Aboriginal Songs for Orchestra alongside classic works by Debussy (La mer) and Ravel (Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2).

The Classical Boom Tour takes center stage as Black Violin returns to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Tuesday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. Florida natives Wil Baptiste (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin) combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound. NPR praised the duo and their recent album, saying "their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation."

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic embarks on a North American tour in Costa Mesa, CA at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on October 30 at 8:00 PM. The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lu, returns two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut at the same hall in December 2016-this time featuring star pianist Stephen Hough. Described by The Guardian as possessing 'the most perfect piano playing conceivable,' Hough will perform Liszt's dazzling first piano concerto with the orchestra. The concert name 'From Formosa' gives a nod to the historic republic on the island of Taiwan while the music traces Taiwan's classical music tradition with Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin's 'Dancing Song' from Three Aboriginal Songs for Orchestra alongside classic works by Debussy (La mer) and Ravel (Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2).

Béla Fleck (banjo), Zakir Hussain (tabla), and Edgar Meyer (double bass) have combined the bluegrass, classical, and South Asian musical traditions into a one-of-a-kind sound, familiar but with a global resonance. In fact, their extraordinary interaction often suggests a sui generis jazz trio, not only improvising on set melodies, harmonies, and rhythms but also on musical genres, taking them to unlikely, unexpected musical places.

The Broad Stage presents Billy Childs and his Jazz Chamber Ensemble on Sunday, November 11 at 7:30pm. One of the foremost American composers of his era, pianist Billy Childs embodies a unique blend of jazz and classical music. The multi-GRAMMY Award winner's groundbreaking project merges improvisation and jazz rhythms with the orchestration and instrumentation of a traditional chamber ensemble.

The Bessie-award nominated Darrah Carr Dance returns to Irish Arts Center with the premiere of Dancing the Great Arc, a groundbreaking collaboration with trad music duo Dana Lyn & Kyle Sanna.  Performances run from Fri, Oct 26 - Sat, Oct 27 at 8pm, with a matinee on Sat, Oct 27 at 2pm.  Tickets are $30 General; $24 for IAC members; and $15 for children 14 and under for the matinee.  To purchase, call 866-811-4111 or visit www.irishartscenter.org

Musical America today announced Carlos Miguel Prieto as 2019 Conductor of the Year. Prieto, 52, a native of Mexico and one of that nation's most important cultural ambassadors, has been praised for his charismatic conducting and colorful and dynamic interpretations. He is a frequent guest of some of the most important orchestras in the world and serves as music director of four orchestras: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (since 2006), Orquesta Sinfonica Naciónal de Mexico (since 2007), Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería (since 2008) and The Orchestra of the Americas (since 2011).

Juilliard Pre-College, under the direction of artistic director Yoheved Kaplinsky, celebrates its centennial season with a gala evening on Monday, November 5. Juilliard presents An Evening Celebrating 100 Years of the Juilliard Pre-College Division, featuring distinguished conductor Robert Spano, music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, leading the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestra in a concert with Juilliard faculty member and Pre-College piano alumnus Emanuel Ax, at 7pm in Alice Tully Hall. The program includes Bernstein's Overture to Candide; Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 ("Emperor"); and Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio espagnol, Op. 34, with additional performances by Pre-College students and alumni.

CSO Music Director Rossen Milanov leads the Columbus Symphony, guest violinist Daniel Rowland, guest soprano Jennifer Lynn Cherest, and the Columbus Symphony Chorus in a unique concert celebrating legendary composer, conductor, and educator Leonard Bernstein. This kaleidoscope of Bernstein's most popular Broadway works includes On the Town: Three Dance Episodes, West Side Story: Suite for Violin and Orchestra, and Candide: Overture, "Glitter and Be Gay," and Suite.

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic embarks on a North American tour this fall stopping in Costa Mesa (10/30), San Diego (10/31), Seattle (11/3), and San Francisco (11/5). The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lü, launches the tour by returning to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa nearly two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut at the same hall in December 2016. This time the performance features star pianist Stephen Hough performing Liszt's dazzling first piano concerto. One of today's greatest living pianists, Hough is described by The Guardian as possessing 'the most perfect piano playing conceivable.' The concert name, 'From Formosa,' gives a nod to the historic republic on the island of Taiwan while the music traces Taiwan's classical music tradition with Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin's 'Dancing Song' from Three Aboriginal Songs for Orchestra. The first performance of the tour marks the work's North American premiere.

Ukulele superstar Jake Shimabukuro, one of the most exceptional and innovative ukulele players in the history of the instrument, brings his virtuosic playing to Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre in Malibu on Saturday, December 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 at 2 p.m.

American Symphony Orchestra's 2018-19 season will open with A Walt Whitman Sampler on October 17 at Carnegie Hall, and has announced that rising American soprano Angel Blue will sing the New York premiere of Franz Schreker's Vom ewigen Leben (From Eternal Life). Dubbed by Placido Domingo as "the next Leontyne Price," the young opera singer and BBC Proms host/presenter will next appear in September at the Metropolitan Opera as Musetta in La Boheme, and in the Royal Opera's production of La Traviata as Violetta in January 2019. Edward Nelson is the guest soloist for the New York premiere of Kurt Weill's Four Walt Whitman Songs. Both vocalists will also perform in Ralph Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony.

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic finishes their 2018 North American tour with a flourish at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco on November 5 at 8:00 PM. The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lu, returns two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut in December 2016 - this time featuring 24-year-old Taiwanese violinist Yu-Chien Tseng. Tseng, rapidly gaining attention on international stages and signed to the legendary record label Deutsche Grammophon, performs Barber's intensely lyrical violin concerto.

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic performs at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts in Seattle on November 3 at 7:30 PM as part of their 2018 North American tour. The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lu, returns two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut in December 2016-this time featuring star pianist Stephen Hough. Described by The Guardian as possessing 'the most perfect piano playing conceivable,' Hough will perform Liszt's dazzling first piano concerto with the orchestra. The concert name 'From Formosa' gives a nod to the historic republic on the island of Taiwan while the music traces Taiwan's classical music tradition with Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin's 'Dancing Song' from Three Aboriginal Songs for Orchestra alongside Brahms's beloved second symphony.

On Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 8:00pm at Alice Tully Hall, American Classical Orchestra (ACO) presents Imperial Haydn with guest soloist Aisslinn Nosky (violin) and ACO principals Marc Schachman (oboe), Andrew Schwartz (bassoon), and Myron Lutzke (cello). Along with Haydn's 'L'Imperiale' (No. 53), the program also features his Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat major and a rare performance of Kalliwoda's Symphony No. 5 in B minor.

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic embarks on a North American tour in Costa Mesa, CA at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on October 30 at 8:00 PM. The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lu, returns two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut at the same hall in December 2016-this time featuring star pianist Stephen Hough. Described by The Guardian as possessing 'the most perfect piano playing conceivable,' Hough will perform Liszt's dazzling first piano concerto with the orchestra. The concert name 'From Formosa' gives a nod to the historic republic on the island of Taiwan while the music traces Taiwan's classical music tradition with Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin's 'Dancing Song' from Three Aboriginal Songs for Orchestra alongside classic works by Debussy (La mer) and Ravel (Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2).

'One of Asia's best' (Los Angeles Times), the Taiwan Philharmonic performs at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego on October 31 at 8:00 PM as part of their 2018 North American tour. The orchestra, led by Maestro Shao-Chia Lu, returns two years after their highly acclaimed United States debut in December 2016-this time including star pianist Stephen Hough. Described by The Guardian as possessing 'the most perfect piano playing conceivable,' Hough will perform Liszt's dazzling first piano concerto with the orchestra. The concert name 'From Formosa' gives a nod to the historic republic on the island of Taiwan while the music traces Taiwan's classical music tradition with Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin's 'Dancing Song' from Three Aboriginal Songs for Orchestra alongside classic works by Debussy (La mer) and Ravel (Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2).