Join the Institute for Asian Studies for a lecture recital, where several new piano and trombone pieces by major contemporary Chinese composers will be introduced and performed, with accompanying PowerPoint images.
The piano pieces include works by Zhang Zhao from Yunnan Province, Chinese-born Canadian composer Alexina Louie, and Chinese-born American composer Lei Liang. Of particular interest is the Oregon premiere of Lei Liang’s Touching with Sound in this event. The pieces for trombones were composed by Chinese-born composers Ma Youdao and Wang Leyou. The performers hope that such fine repertoire will be disseminated and enjoyed widely.
Susan Chan, pianist
The New York Concert Review described Susan Chan as “a thoughtful musician and a sensitive player.” She has performed, taught and adjudicated on four continents. She received “Special Citation for Championing Piano Music by Asian Composers” in the 2015 American Prize competition and was awarded an Individual Artist Fellowship by the Oregon Arts Commission. Her critically acclaimed CDs include Echoes of China: Contemporary Piano Music (Naxos) and East West Encounter I and II (MSR Classics). She holds a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University and serves as Professor of Music at Portland State University. (susanchanpiano.com)
Li Kuang, trombonist
Li Kuang is an Edwards and Ultimate Brass Artist with a diverse performing career as a soloist, chamber music, and orchestral musician. His recent solo appearances include the International Trombone Festivals, American Trombone Workshop, Big XII Trombone Conference, and Jinbao International Low Brass Festival. Li performed with numerous ensembles, including the Oregon Symphony, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (WA), Paducah Symphony, Detroit Chamber and Winds, Sichuan Symphony Orchestra/Opera Orchestra, Sichuan Film Orchestra, Chengdu Philharmonic, and the International Trombone Festival Cramer Choir. Li holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin and is an Assistant Professor of Music at Portland State University.
Young trombonists Enpeng Cui and Ziqi He are students of Li Kuang.