Chinese artistry dazzles at New York concert

The audience responded with enthusiastic applause to the artistic synergy of three Chinese musicians — pianist Li Jian, cellist Hai-Ye Ni and violinist Lyu Siqing — in concert at New York's Carnegie Hall on Sunday.

The musicians were able to combine their years of experience to create a memorable musical experience at The Piano Trio Concert, An Afternoon of Cultural Splendor, in Zankel Hall.

In a delightful rendition of Beethoven's Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op 97, "Archduke", and Schubert's Piano Trio No 2 in E-flat major, D 929, the three performers played to a packed audience that responded with several rounds of applause.

Laura Nathanson, who sat in the front row, described their performance as "wonderful".

"Schubert is one of my all-time favorite composers, so achingly beautiful," she told China Daily. "They're all obviously great musicians, but I particularly love the violinist. He was very vigorous, very exact, passionate, expressive. I'm so glad I came. It's a real treat to be in such an intimate setting."

Beethoven's Archduke was a stunning tribute to one of the composer's best-known chamber works, which was completed in 1811, premiered in 1814 and came alive again this weekend at Carnegie Hall.

The concert was introduced by John Catsimatidis, chairman of the Red Apple Group, alongside his wife Margo; Elizabeth B. Wang, executive producer, co-founder and president of the US-China Cultural Foundation; and co-sponsor Tim Gong, chairman of The Gong Family Foundation.

All remarked on the importance of the United States and China in sharing art and using it as a bridge between cultures.

Catsimatidis stressed how important it was to him to help bring Chinese artistry to the New York stage.

"The Chinese people and the American people are from the two most powerful nations in the world. And I believe in bringing our cultures closer together," he told China Daily.

His wife Margo echoed his remarks. "The music and the amount of talent that they brought were bar none, just the top!" she said. "They brought China to America at Carnegie Hall and it was a stupendous, awesome concert!"

Wang added in her opening speech: "Art is a bridge that connects the world. Every concert we present is not just a performance, it is a celebration of the human spirit that only music can spread."

Gong said he was delighted to co-sponsor the "special" concert, adding: "I've realized a long-held dream of bringing together Beethoven's Archduke and Schubert's Piano Trio in E-flat major, D 929, in one performance."

Shared passion

"Our three musicians are each leading figures in the international music world, bringing their artistry and shared passion to this rare formation."

Steve Prystowsky, 80, from New York City said he was thrilled by the artistic and cultural exchange and speeches.

"I think it's beautiful, and I think the speeches about the cultural exchange between China and the United States are very good because there's nothing as important as the arts."

The musicians expressed how they share the bond of years of friendship, and all played flawlessly together.

Li's light, delicate, piano playing anchored the performance while Ni's mastery of the cello was magnificent, deep, thoughtful and enigmatic.

Andrew Hall, who lives in Cold Spring, New York but is originally from London, told China Daily that he thought the concert was "beautiful".

"There were a couple of things that struck me. One was the musicians bringing an entirely different sensibility to the music and an interpretation of it.

"I just felt like there was a balance with the music, you know, a sort of symphony and an honesty with it, and it wasn't about being more than, it was about being one with the music."

The trio appeared to speak the notes to each other while playing, breathtaking for any classical music lover.

At the end of the evening, Catsimatidis, on behalf of New York City and the mayor's office, presented the US-China Cultural Foundation's Global Cultural Excellence Award to the three artists.